Also known as
SAC-ARDC Combative Measures Instructor Course
SAC Combative Measures Instructor Training
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.
Participants (4)
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1 source
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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.
"Aikido instruction was led by Tomiki"
— (2014-07-31). American airmen of the Strategic Air
Commandlinkinfo
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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.'
"Sato sensei, who instructed both aikido (under head aikido instructor
Tomiki) and taihojutsu techniques"
— (2014-07-31). American airmen of the Strategic Air
Commandlinkinfo
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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.
"And the all important instruction in Taiho-Jutsu was given by Hosokawa and
Kikuchi."
— (2014-07-31). American airmen of the Strategic Air
Commandlinkinfo
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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.
"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
Tags
sac-judocombative-measures
kodokanusafmilitary
Sources
"Judo has been an important part of the SAC ground-training program since
1951 when a course in 'combative measures' was introduced"
— Overstreet, Grady. (2004). Judo in the Strategic
Air Commandlinkinfo
"In 1950-51, LeMay ordered that SAC introduce a Combative Measures program
into aircrew ground training. The program combined Kodokan judo, Shotokan
karate, Tomiki-style aikido, and police control tactics."
— Larsen, Matt. (2025-08-28). Clubs or Culture? The
Rise and Fall of the 1950s Air Force Martial Arts Programlinkinfo
"The SAC Judo Society was created and became a chartered black belt
organization under the Kodokan. In 1955 the AJA changed its name to Judo Black
Belt Federation (JBBF)"
— Beish, Jeff. (2025). Resume of Judolinkinfo
"In 1956 SAC and ARDC sent 280 Air Policemen to the Kodokan to participate
in four week classes. From 1959 until 1966 the Air Force Combative Measures
(Judo) Instructor Course was held at Stead Air Force Base"
— (2014-07-31). American airmen of the Strategic Air
Commandlinkinfo
Linked data
https://martial.is/entity/01M1MCG84SK49YRGTQDR3Q6YWD