The signing of the North Atlantic Treaty, Washington D.C. 4th April 1949

In 1949, NATO was formed by 12 Western nations to counter perceived threats, especially from the east. With the Iron Curtain in place, NATO prepared for potential conflicts by establishing defensive forces across land, sea, and air. The alliance identified airspace as a significant vulnerability due to the emergence of long-range nuclear bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles, prompting a new air defense strategy.

What new threats did NATO face in the skies, and what was the response?

What changes in air defense philosophy were prompted by the introduction of long-range nuclear bombers?