Westover ARB "Christmas Tree"

Westover Airforce Base supported the mission of the USAF Strategic Air Command from the mid-fifties to late sixties. During the Cold War, at least 5 B-52 bombers, armed with nuclear weapons, were kept on continuous alert on this apron known as the "Christmas Tree."

The "mole hole", Building 7450, pictured above and adjacent to this ramp, served as an alert facility for the crews, which spent one week of 24-hour alert in the underground quarters, going everywhere together during that week so they were always ready for launch in a few moments.