Christmas tree (aviation)

Diagram of "Christmas tree" alert apron at Glasgow AFB, MT, c. 1957-1976. The yellow building in the lower right is a mole hole, also known as a readiness crew building.
Minot AFB, ND, in 1973 with its "Christmas tree" at capacity

A "Christmas tree" was a type of alert area constructed by the United States Air Force for the Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the Cold War. Oftentimes, bombers or tanker aircraft were stationed next to a readiness crew building (RCB), also known as "mole hole" facilities. The alert apron, also known as an alert ramp, received the name "Christmas tree", because in planform it resembled a tree of the same name.[1][2]

  1. ^ "The Mole hole, Building 1303". Air Mobility Command Museum. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  2. ^ Day, John S. (November 18, 1995). "Memories of a Cold War Christmas Eve nightmare". Bangor Daily News. p. A2.