Dec. 7, 1962 - President Kennedy spent three hours underground today in the command post of the nation’s primary nuclear striking force. He visited the post, the Strategic Air Command’s Operations Center at Offutt Air Force Base, near Omaha, Neb., during a cross-country tour of defense and nuclear installations. After surfacing from an exhaustive briefing, the President presented a plaque honoring the command for its services in the Cuban crisis. These services, he said, were “unparalleled by any country in the history of air power.” Mr. Kennedy said it was his belief, “strengthened by this morning’s visit,” that peace and security could be maintained “with the will and courage of the people of the United States and the strong right arm which is the strategic air force.” Tomorrow, Mr. Kennedy will inspect nuclear testing areas in Nevada and fly over the Sudan crater, created by a 100-kiloton underground nuclear explosion last summer. Later tomorrow, the President will fly to Palm Springs, Calif., where he will rest at the home of Bing Crosby. Mr. Kennedy is scheduled to return to Washington Sunday night.
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