Offutt Air Force Base

Military installation just outside Bellevue, Nebraska, USA, 13 km/8 mi southeast of Omaha; population (1990) 10,900. After World War II, it became the headquarters of the Strategic Air Command (SAC). From its underground command post, the SAC controlled missiles stored in underground silos around the USA and kept bombers in the air on constant alert. The base forms an integral part of the local economy, although its numbers have diminished since 1990.

Offut was established by the army in 1896 as Fort Crook. It became an air facility in the early 20th century and was renamed in 1924.