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Description

The Strategic Air Command Combative Measures instructor training program, initiated by General Curtis LeMay in 1951. Selected SAC airmen were sent to Tokyo's Kodokan Judo Institute for intensive multi-art training in judo, karate, aikido, and police tactics. The program ran for over a decade, with the SAC-ARDC Yudanshakai sanctioned by the Kodokan in 1955. By 1962 SAC had over 160 black-belt combative measures instructors and the program produced national AAU judo champions and an Olympian (George Harris). The course was eventually cut in 1966 during the Vietnam buildup due to budget pressures.

Contains (1)

Participants (4)

• Tomiki KenjiInstructor

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source

  fact_check

  The E-Judo forum thread (NBK, 2014) cites a Nihon Jujutsu origins website stating Tomiki led the Kodokan committee that developed Kodokan goshinjutsu and served as head aikido instructor for the SAC program.

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "Aikido instruction was led by Tomiki"

  — (2014-07-31). American airmen of the Strategic Air Commandlinkinfo
• Shizuya SatōInstructor

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source

  fact_check

  E-Judo forum thread (NBK, 2014) states Sato was 'an assistant aikido instructor under Tomiki for the Strategic Air Command combatives training program, as well as a regular in the judo training sessions.'

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "Sato sensei, who instructed both aikido (under head aikido instructor Tomiki) and taihojutsu techniques"

  — (2014-07-31). American airmen of the Strategic Air Commandlinkinfo
• Hosokawa KusuoInstructor

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source

  fact_check

  E-Judo forum thread (NBK, 2014) cites Taiho Jutsu YouTube description crediting Hosokawa as head taihojutsu instructor for the SAC eight-week training programs at the Kodokan.

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "And the all important instruction in Taiho-Jutsu was given by Hosokawa and Kikuchi."

  — (2014-07-31). American airmen of the Strategic Air Commandlinkinfo
• Emilio Mel BrunoInstructor

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources

  fact_check

  Multiple sources confirm Mel Bruno was appointed by LeMay to direct the SAC judo and combative measures program and organized the SAC Judo and Physical Conditioning unit.

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "Mr. Emilio (Mel) Bruno (6th degree black belt) to organize and head up the SAC Judo and Physical Conditioning unit"

  — Overstreet, Grady. (2004). Judo in the Strategic Air Commandlinkinfo

  "Mr. Emilio (Mel) Bruno (6th degree black belt) to organize and head up the SAC Judo and Physical Conditioning unit"

  — Larsen, Matt. (2025-08-28). Clubs or Culture? The Rise and Fall of the 1950s Air Force Martial Arts Programlinkinfo

Organizers (1)

Styles (1)

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