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List of United States Air Force missile squadrons

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article lists the missile squadrons of the United States Air Force. There are nine missile squadrons currently active in the United States (listed in bold type); all nine are equipped to operate intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Aerodynamic missile squadrons

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Aerodynamic Missile Squadrons
Squadron Emblem Location Weapons System Active Notes
1st Guided Missiles Squadron Eglin AFB
Patrick AFB
Republic-Ford JB-2
VB-6 Felix
VB-3 Razon
VB-13 Tarzon
1946–1950
1st Tactical Missile Squadron Patrick AFB
Bitburg AB
B-61 (later TM-61) Matador, 1951–1958 1951–1958 Activated as 1st Pilotless Bomber Squadron, first USAF operational tactical missile squadron. Replaced by 71st Tactical Missile Squadron
2d Guided Missiles Squadron Holloman AFB
Patrick AFB
MM-3 Nike-Ajax
QB-17L Flying Fortress (Drone)
1949–1952 Evaluated/testing Nike-Ajax against QB-17L Drone testing. Re-designated 4802d Guided Missile Squadron 30 Dec 1950-14 May 1951 and moved to Patrick AFB. Re-designated 6555th Guided Missile Squadron, 14 May 1951 – 15 August 1959.
3d Guided Missiles Squadron Patrick AFB
Holloman AFB
Consolidated-Vultee Lark 1950–1951 Evaluated/testing US Navy Lark SS Missile at Patrick AFB. Re-designated 4803d Guided Missile Squadron 30 Dec 1950 – 14 May 1951. Returned to Patrick AFB and re-designated 6556th Guided Missile Squadron, 14 May 1951 – 1 Mar 1953.
6th Air Defense Missile Squadron Suffolk County AFB CIM-10 Bomarc 1959–1964 1959–1964
11th Tactical Missile Squadron SEMBACH AB
RAF Greenham Common
TM-61 Matador, 1954–1958
BGM-109G 1981–1991
1954–1958
1981–1991
Replaced by 822d Tactical Missile Squadron in 1958; Reactivated as a BGM-109G GLCM squadron during the 1980s, last to inactivate in 1991
17th Tactical Missile Squadron Orlando AFB 1955–1957
Tainan AS 1957–1958
TM-61 Matador 1955–1958 1956–1958 Deployed to Taiwan, 1 May 1957, became operational in November. Re-designated as 868th Tactical Missile Squadron, June 1958
19th Tactical Missile Squadron Orlando AFB 8–25 June 1956 TM-61 Matador 1956 1956 Inactivated after only 17 days, personnel were absorbed by the existing units at Orlando AFB, mainly the 17th TMS.
22d Air Defense Missile Squadron Langley AFB CIM-10 Bomarc 1959–1969 1959–1969
24th Tactical Missile Squadron Orlando AFB MGM-1 Matador 1957–1958 1957–1958 Inactivated at Orlando AFB 1958, elements eventually joining 310th Tactical Missile Squadron at Osan AB, South Korea.
26th Air Defense Missile Squadron Otis AFB CIM-10 Bomarc 1959–1969 1959–1969
30th Air Defense Missile Squadron Dow AFB CIM-10 Bomarc 1959–1964 1959–1964
35th Air Defense Missile Squadron Niagara Falls AFMS CIM-10 Bomarc 1960–1969 1960–1969
37th Air Defense Missile Squadron Kincheloe AFB CIM-10 Bomarc 1960–1972 1960–1972 Re-designated as the 37th Tactical Missile Squadron on 19 September 1985 while remaining inactive
41st Tactical Missile Squadron Planned for BGM-109G Re-designated in 1985 as a TMS. Never activated.
42d Tactical Missile Squadron Planned for BGM-109G Re-designated in 1985 as a TMS. Never activated.
46th Air Defense Missile Squadron McGuire AFB CIM-10 Bomarc 1959–1972 1959–1972 Both first and last operational BOMARC squadron. Re-designated as the 46th Tactical Missile Squadron on 19 September 1985 while remaining inactive.
69th Tactical Missile Squadron Patrick AFB
Hahn AB
TM-61 Matador, 1952–1958 1952–1958 Activated as 69th Pilotless Bomber Squadron (Light). Replaced by 405th Tactical Missile Squadron.
71st Tactical Missile Squadron Bitburg AB
Florennes AB
MGM-1 Matador, 1958–1962
MGM-13 Mace, 1962–1969
BGM-109G 1984–1989
1958–1969
1984–1989
Operated three different types of Tactical missiles in USAFE. Was a B-57 Canberra Night Bombardment Squadron at Laon AB, France 1955–1958, converted to tactical missiles at Bitburg AB, 1958.
74th Air Defense Missile Squadron Duluth AFMS CIM-10 Bomarc 1960–1972 1960–1972 Re-designated as the 74th Tactical Missile Squadron on 19 September 1985 while remaining inactive.
87th Tactical Missile Squadron RAF Molesworth BGM-109G 1986–1989 1986–1989
89th Tactical Missile Squadron Hahn AB
Wueschheim AS
MGM-13 Mace, 1962–1966
BGM-109G 1985–1990
1962–1966
1985–1990
302d Tactical Missile Squadron Comiso AB BGM-109G 1983–1991 1983–1991
310th Tactical Missile Squadron Osan AB MGM-1 Matador, 1958–1962 1958–1962 Missiles retained by host 58th Tactical Training Wing until inactivated December 1969
405th Tactical Missile Squadron Hahn AB MGM-1 Matador, 1958–1962
MGM-13 Mace, 1962–1966
1958–1966 Was a B-57 Canberra Night Bombardment Squadron at Laon AB, France 1955–1958, converted to tactical missiles at Hahn AB, 1958.
822d Tactical Missile Squadron Sembach AB TM-61 Matador, 1958–1960
MGM-13 Mace, 1961–1966
1958–1966 Was a B-57 Canberra Night Bombardment Squadron at Laon AB, France 1955–1958, converted to tactical missiles at Sembach AB, 1958.
823d Tactical Missile Squadron Sembach AB MGM-13 Mace, 1962–1966 1962–1966
868th Tactical Missile Training Squadron Tainan AS
Davis–Monthan AFB
TM-61 (later MGM-1) Matador 1958–1962
BGM-109G 1981–1990
1958–1962; 1981–1990 Stationed on Taiwan, 1958–1962 as 868th Tactical Missile Squadron. Reactivated in 1981 as BGM-109G cruise missile training unit
873d Tactical Missile Squadron Kadena AB MGM-13 Mace, 1961–1965 1961–1965 Missile operations were conducted directly by the parent 498th Tactical Missile Group after the squadron's inactivation, 8 July 1965 – 31 December 1969.
874th Tactical Missile Squadron Kadena AB MGM-13 Mace, 1961–1965 1961–1965 Missile operations were conducted directly by the parent 498th Tactical Missile Group after the squadron's inactivation, 8 July 1965 – 31 December 1969.
887th Tactical Missile Squadron Sembach AB MGM-13 Mace, 1962–1966 1962–1966
4751st Air Defense Missile Squadron Eglin AFB Aux #9 CIM-10 Bomarc 1959–1979 1959–1979 BOMARC Testing/Evaluation/Training Unit

Ballistic missile squadrons

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Ballistic Missile Squadrons
Squadron Emblem Location Weapons System Active Notes
10th Missile Squadron Malmstrom AFB LGM-30A/B Minuteman I, 1962–1968
LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1968–1991
LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1996–present
1962–present 341st SMW/OG "First Ace in the Hole"; B-47 squadron, 1956–1961
12th Missile Squadron Malmstrom AFB LGM-30A/B Minuteman I, 1962–1968
LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1968–1991
LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1996–present
1962–present 341st SMW/OG "Red Dawgs"; B-47 squadron, 1956–1961
66th Missile Squadron Ellsworth AFB LGM-30B Minuteman I, 1963–1973
LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1972–1993
1963–1993 44th SMW/OG "The Peace Keepers"; B-47 squadron, 1953–1960
67th Missile Squadron Ellsworth AFB LGM-30B Minuteman I, 1963–1973
LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1972–1992
1963–1992 44th SMW/OG "The people rule"; B-47 squadron, 1953–1960
68th Missile Squadron Ellsworth AFB LGM-30B Minuteman I, 1963–1973
LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1972–1994
1963–1994 44th SMW/OG ; B-47 squadron, 1953–1960
319th Missile Squadron F.E. Warren AFB LGM-30B Minuteman I 1964–1974
LGM-30G Minuteman III 1973–present
1964–present 90th SMW/OG "Screamin' Eagles"; RB-47 strategic reconnaissance squadron, 1954–1960
320th Missile Squadron F.E. Warren AFB LGM-30B Minuteman I 1964–1974
LGM-30G Minuteman III 1973–present
1964–present 90th SMW/OG "Naked Indians"; RB-47 strategic reconnaissance squadron, 1954–1960
321st Missile Squadron F.E. Warren AFB LGM-30B Minuteman I 1964–1974
LGM-30G Minuteman III 1973–present
1964–present 90th SMW/OG "Frontier Warriors"; RB-47 strategic reconnaissance squadron, 1954–1960
373d Strategic Missile Squadron Little Rock AFB LGM-25C Titan II 1962–1987 1962–1987 308th SMW ; B-47 squadron, 1954–1959
374th Strategic Missile Squadron Little Rock AFB LGM-25C Titan II 1962–1987 1962–1987 308th SMW; B-47 squadron, 1954–1959
400th Missile Squadron F.E. Warren AFB LGM-30B Minuteman I, 1964–1974
LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1973–1987
LGM-118A Peacekeeper, 1987–2005
1964–2005 90th SMW/OG Only LGM-118A Peacekeeper squadron. With the deployment of the LGM-118A, 50 former Minuteman III silos were converted. Flights P through T were reassigned to the Peacekeeper for operational duty.
446th Missile Squadron Grand Forks AFB LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1965–1973
LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1972–1998
1965–1998 321st SMW/MG; B-47 squadron, 1953–1961
447th Missile Squadron Grand Forks AFB LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1965–1973
LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1972–1998
1965–1998 321st SMW/MG; B-47 squadron, 1953–1961
448th Missile Squadron Grand Forks AFB LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1965–1973
LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1972–1998
1965–1998 321st SMW/MG; B-47 squadron, 1953–1961
490th Missile Squadron Malmstrom AFB LGM-30A/B Minuteman I, 1962–1968
LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1968–1991
LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1996–present
1962–present 341st SMW/OG; B-47 squadron, 1956–1961 "Farsiders"
508th Missile Squadron Whiteman AFB LGM-30B Minuteman I, 1963–1967
LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1966–1995
1963–1995 351st SMW/OG
509th Missile Squadron Whiteman AFB LGM-30B Minuteman I, 1963–1967
LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1966–1994
1963–1994 351st SMW/OG
510th Missile Squadron Whiteman AFB LGM-30B Minuteman I, 1963–1967
LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1966–1995
1963–1995 351st SMW/OG Emergency Rocket Communications System (1967–1995)
532d Strategic Missile Squadron McConnell AFB LGM-25C Titan II, 1962–1986 1962–1986 381st SMW
533d Strategic Missile Squadron McConnell AFB LGM-25C Titan II, 1962–1986 1962–1986 381st SMW
548th Strategic Missile Squadron Forbes AFB SM-65E Atlas, 1960–1964 1960–1964 40th SAW
549th Strategic Missile Squadron Offut AFB SM-65D Atlas, 1961–1964 1961–1964 385th SAW
550th Strategic Missile Squadron Schilling AFB SM-65F Atlas, 1961–1965 1961–1965 310th SAW
551st Strategic Missile Squadron Lincoln AFB SM-65F Atlas, 1961–1965 1961–1965 98th SAW
556th Strategic Missile Squadron Presque Isle AFB, 9–16 Jul 1959
Plattsburgh AFB 1961–1965
SM-62 Snark, 1958–1959
SM-65F Atlas, 1962–1965
1958–1959; 1962–1965 702d SAW (1959); 820th SAD (1961–1965) Only operational SM-62 Snark aerodynamic intercontinental missile squadron; only Atlas (or any other) ICBM squadron east of the Mississippi River.
564th Missile Squadron
F.E. Warren AFB 1958–1964
Malmstrom AFB 1966–2008
SM-65D Atlas, 1960–1964
LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1967–1975
LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1975–2008
1958–2008 706th SMW (1958–1961); 389th SMW (1961–1964); 341st SMW/OG (1966–2008) 564th Strategic Missile Squadron was the first ICBM operational squadron activated (1 May 1958).
565th Strategic Missile Squadron F.E. Warren AFB SM-65D Atlas, 1958–1965 1958–1965 706th SMW (1958–1961); 389th SMW (1961–1965)
566th Strategic Missile Squadron F.E. Warren AFB SM-65E Atlas, 1961–1965 1959–1965 389th SMW (1961–1965)
567th Strategic Missile Squadron Fairchild AFB SM-65E Atlas, 1960–1965 1960–1965 92d SAW
568th Strategic Missile Squadron Larson AFB SM-68 Titan I 1961–1965 1961–1965 462d SAW
569th Strategic Missile Squadron Mountain Home AFB SM-68 Titan I 1962–1964 1961–1964 9th SAW
570th Strategic Missile Squadron Davis–Monthan AFB LGM-25C Titan II, 1962–1984 1962–1984 390th SMW
571st Strategic Missile Squadron Davis–Monthan AFB LGM-25C Titan II, 1962–1984 1962–1984 390th SMW
576th Strategic Missile Squadron
Cooke (later, Vandenberg) AFB SM-65D/E/F Atlas, 1958–1966 1958–1966 704th SMW (1958), 1st SAD (1959–1966), first SM-65D Atlas squadron put on alert, 1958. Operated Atlas-D/E/F until 1966

Today, current 576th Test Squadron tested LGM-118 Peacekeeper, 1991–2004 and LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1991–present.
577th Strategic Missile Squadron Altus AFB SM-65F Atlas, 1961–1965 1961–1965 11th SAW
578th Strategic Missile Squadron Dyess AFB SM-65F Atlas, 1961–1965 1961–1965 96th SAW
579th Strategic Missile Squadron Walker AFB SM-65F Atlas, 1962–1965 1962–1965 6th SAW
644th Strategic Missile Squadron Vandenberg AFB PGM-17 Thor, 1959; HGM-25A Titan I 1959; SM-65 Atlas, 1959 1959 Short-lived Missile Training squadron at Vandenberg AFB. Provided training for Royal Air Force personnel in the operation and launching of the PGM-17 Thor Intermediate-Range Missie. Also provided training to SAC personnel on SM-65 Atlas and HGM-25A Titan I Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. Later became a B-52H Stratofortress bombardment squadron.
672d Strategic Missile Squadron RAF Feltwell
RAF Lakenheath
PGM-17 Thor, 1958–1959 1958–1959 Short-lived Missile Training squadron in the UK for RAF Thor missile crews.
724th Strategic Missile Squadron Lowry AFB HGM-25A Titan I, 1961–1965 1961–1965 Former 848th Strategic Missile Squadron (1960–1961), never manned or equipped. 703d SMW/451st SMW
725th Strategic Missile Squadron Lowry AFB HGM-25A Titan I, 1961–1965 1961–1965 Former 849th Strategic Missile Squadron (1960–1961), never manned or equipped. 703d SMW/451st SMW
740th Missile Squadron Minot AFB LGM-30 Minuteman I, 1963–1971
LGM-30 Minuteman III, 1968–present
1963–present 455th SMW/91st SMW/OG "Vulgar Vultures"
741st Missile Squadron Minot AFB LGM-30 Minuteman I, 1963–1971
LGM-30 Minuteman III, 1968–present
1963–present 455th SMW/91st SMW/OG "Gravel Haulers"
742d Missile Squadron Minot AFB LGM-30 Minuteman I, 1963–1971
LGM-30 Minuteman III, 1968–present
1963–present 455th SMW/91st SMW/OG "The Wolfpack"
850th Strategic Missile Squadron Ellsworth AFB HGM-25A Titan I, 1960–1965 1960–1965 44th SMW
851st Strategic Missile Squadron Beale AFB HGM-25A Titan I, 1962–1965 1962–1965 456th SAW
864th Strategic Missile Squadron Redstone Arsenal PGM-19 Jupiter, 1958–1960 1958–1960 Provided training for Italian Air Force personnel in the operation and launching of the PGM-19 Jupiter
865th Strategic Missile Squadron Redstone Arsenal PGM-19 Jupiter, 1958–1959 1958–1959 Provided training for Italian Air Force personnel in the operation and launching of the PGM-19 Jupiter
866th Strategic Missile Squadron Redstone Arsenal PGM-19 Jupiter, 1958–1962 1958–1962 Provided training for Turkish Air Force personnel in the operation and launching of the PGM-19 Jupiter

See also

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References

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Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  • Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
  • U.S. Air Force Tactical Missiles, (2009), George Mindling, Robert Bolton ISBN 978-0-557-00029-6
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