The
North American B-45 Tornado was the
United States Air Force's (USAF) first operational jet
bomber, and the first multi-jet engined bomber in the world to be refueled in mid-air. The B-45 was an important part of the
United States's nuclear
deterrent for several years in the early 1950s, but was soon superseded by the
Boeing B-47 Stratojet. B-45s and RB-45s served in the United States Air Force's
Strategic Air Command from 1950 until 1959. It was also the first jet bomber of the
NATO Alliance, which was formed in 1949.