This photo was taken at the height of the Cold War, the confrontation that dominated the second half of the 20th century.
The amazing image in this post, taken by LIFE photographer J. R. Eyerman over the coast of Florida and overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, displays the many kinds of aircraft that were part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in 1956 flying in a single formation.
This is a list of every aircraft shown in this amazing photo:
1. Lockheed F-94C Starfire
2. Northrop F-89H Scorpion
3. North American QF-80A
4. North American T-33
5. Republic F-84F Thunderstreak
6. North American F-86H Sabre
7. North American F-100A Super Sabre
8. Convair F-102A Delta Dagger
9. Republic RF-84F Thunderflash
10. Republic F-84G Thunderjet
11. North American F-86D Sabre Dog
12. Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
13. Convair C-131 Samaritan
14. Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
15. Douglas C-124 Globemaster II
16. Martin B-57 Canberra
17. Douglas B-66 Destroyer
18. North American B-45 Tornado
19. Lockheed RC-121C
20. Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker
22. Convair B-36 Peacemaker
What’s astonishing is that the B-52 is still in operation today and not set for retirement anytime soon.
This photo was taken at the height of the Cold War, the confrontation that dominated the second half of the 20th century and grew out of the clash between the ideologies of the Western democracies led by the United States — and the communist nations led by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The ever-present threat of nuclear weapons made this period the most dangerous one in world history.
The U.S. Armed Forces measure their level of readiness during military situations by Defense Readiness Condition (DEFCON). Based upon the severity of a crisis, this readiness ranges from DEFCON 5, the normal peacetime level, to DEFCON 1, when an imminent enemy attack is expected. The seriousness of the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962 was demonstrated when the U.S. Armed Forces went to DEFCON 2 — the second-highest level. Throughout the Cold War, people and governments feared going to DEFCON 1 because it meant nuclear war, but that level was never reached — in large part because of the deterrence to aggression provided by the USAF.
Photo by J. R. Eyerman/LIFE
