Jim Kershner’s This day in history

From our archives, 50 years ago

The commander in chief of North American Air Defense forces, Gen. Laurence S. Kuter, came to Spokane to speak to the Chamber of Commerce – and to sound a note of Cold War warning.

He pointed out that the Soviets could reach Spokane – and most other places in the U.S. – with long-range bombers and missiles. And the Soviets were rapidly building a submarine force – armed with nuclear missiles – “in excess of 450 boats.”

As a consequence, “the Soviets today are a triple-threat outfit.”

Yet the general also sounded a note of reassurance.

“On balance, the air defense of this area is now much improved over its status a year ago, because of capabilities introduced by SAGE (semi-automatic ground environment, air warning setup), Nike Hercules missiles and the F-106 fighter planes,” he said.

The U.S. was consumed by fear of a Soviet attack in 1961, yet the tension may have been especially high in this region, which was rich with strategic targets. The Inland Northwest was dotted with air bases and missile sites.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1942: The Pan American Airways Pacific Clipper arrived in New York more than a month after leaving California and following a westward route.