The highly classified code name for the war plan was "Backbreaker," an atomic attack intended to do just that―literally break the back of any Soviet attempt to invade Western Europe. Based in England, 450 miles―one hour's flying time―from the likely battlefield, the Backbreaker operation was intended as a tripwire. Without it, it seemed likely that the Soviet Union's 193 army divisions and 10,500 tactical aircraft would roll over the badly outnumbered forces of the United States and its North American Treaty Organization (NATO) allies. The Back-breakers were crews assigned to three units―the 84th, 85th and 86th Bombardment squadrons, within the 47th Bombardment Wing (Light). The wing's aircraft consisted of 55 North American B-45 Tornados that were specifically configured to carry atomic bombs.
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