List of missile wings of the United States Air Force

This is a list of missile wings activated by the United States Air Force during and after the Cold War. Although most of these wings included the word "missile" in their designations, the majority of units operating Convair SM-65 Atlas and Martin SM-68A Titan I intercontinental ballistic missiles were strategic wings or strategic aerospace wings, which combined missile, bomber and air refueling units. The dates for these wings are the dates that they had missile squadrons assigned, rather than their activation and inactivation dates.

The list is organized numerically by weapons system designation, using the Air Force system in use until the tri-service aircraft designation system came into effect for missiles with such designation. Within missile types, wings are ordered numerically by wing designation.

Martin TM-61 (MGM-1) Matador and TM-61B (TM-76, MGM-13B, CGM-13C) Mace

Martin TM-611 Matador
Martin TM-76 Mace

The Martin MGM-1 Matador was the first operational surface-to-surface cruise missile designed and built by the United States. The Matador included a radio command that allowed in-flight course corrections. The Matador was armed with the W5 warhead.[1]

The Martin TM-76 Mace was originally the TM-61B, a tactical cruise missile developed as an improved TM-61 Matador. The MGM-13B was launched from a transporter erector launcher and the CGM-13C was launched from an underground bunker. While the MGM-13B was equipped with terrain-matching radar navigation, the CGM-13C used an inertial navigation system.[2]

Wings operating the TM-61 Matador and TM-76 Mace
Wing Dates active Station Missile squadron(s) Notes
38th Tactical Missile Wing 18 June 1958 – 25 September 1966 Hahn AB 71st 89th 405th 822nd 823rd 887th [3][note 1] TM-61, TM-76
701st Tactical Missile Wing 15 September 1956 – 18 June 1958 Hahn AB 1st 11th 69th [4][note 2] TM-61
4504th Missile Training Wing (also 4504th Tactical Missile Wing, 4504th Combat Crew Training Wing) c. 1 September 1954 – 1 July 1959 Orlando AFB 11th 17th 24th 4504th TM-61, TM-76

Northrop SM-62 Snark

Northrop SM-62 Snark

The Northrop SM-62 Snark was an early-model intercontinental cruise missile that could carry a W39 nuclear warhead. The Snark was deployed from 1958 through 1961. It represented an important step in weapons technology during the Cold War.[5]

Wings operating the SM-62 Snark
Wing Dates active Station Missile squadron(s) Notes
702nd Strategic Missile Wing 1 January 1959 – 25 June 1961 Presque Isle AFB 556th[note 3] [6]

Convair SM-65 (CGM-16D, CGM-16E, HGM-16F) Atlas

SM-65D Atlas

The Convair SM-65 Atlas was the United States' first successful ICBM, flown in 1957, and taken out of active service in 1965. Strategic Air Command deployed Atlas model D, Atlas model E, and Atlas model F. The Atlas used liquid fuel and it took 15 minutes to pump 249,000 pounds of propellant aboard the "quick firing" Atlas F. However, it was dangerous, as four Atlas silos were destroyed when propellant-loading exercises went awry.

Wings operating the SM-65 Atlas
Wing Dates active Stations Missile squadron(s) Notes
Strategic Wing (Provisional) 15 January 1958 1958 – 1 February 1958 Francis E. Warren AFB none [note 4]
6th Strategic Aerospace Wing 1 September 1961 – 25 March 1965 Walker AFB 579th [7] SM-65E
11th Strategic Aerospace Wing 1 June 1961 – 25 March 1965 Altus AFB 577th [8] SM-65E
40th Strategic Aerospace Wing 1 January 1964 – 1 September 1964 Forbes AFB 558th [9] SM-65E
55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing 1 September 1964 – 25 March 1965 Offutt AFB 548th[note 5] [10] SM-65E
92nd Strategic Aerospace Wing 1 April 1960 – 25 June 1965 Fairchild AFB 567th [11] SM-65E
96th Strategic Aerospace Wing 1 July 1961 – 25 March 1965 Dyess AFB 578th [12] SM-65E
98th Strategic Aerospace Wing 1 January 1964 – 25 June 1965 Lincoln AFB 551st [13] SM-65E
310th Strategic Aerospace Wing 1 April 1961 – 25 June 1965 Schilling AFB 550th [14] SM-65F
385th Strategic Aerospace Wing 1 January 1963 – 15 December 1964 Offutt AFB 549th [15][note 6] SM-65D
389th Strategic Missile Wing 1 July 1961 – 25 March 1965 Francis E. Warren AFB 564th 565th 566th [16][note 7] SM-65D, SM-65E
706th Strategic Missile Wing 23 February 1958 – 1 July 1961 Francis E. Warren AFB 549th 564th 565th [17][note 8] SM-65D
4320th Strategic Wing 1 February 1958 – 23 February 1958 Francis E. Warren AFB [18][note 9]

Martin SM-68A (HGM-25A) Titan I

Titan I at Discovery Park of America

The Martin HGM-25A Titan I was the United States' first multistage intercontinental ballistic missile. It required liquid fuel. Originally designed as a backup in case SM-65 Atlas missile development ran into problems, the Titan was ultimately beaten into service by Atlas. Deployment went ahead anyway to more rapidly increase the number of missiles on alert and because the Titan's missile silo basing was more survivable than Atlas.[19]

Wings operating the SM 68A (HGM-25A) Titan I
Wing Dates active Station Missile squadron(s) Notes
9th Strategic Aerospace Wing 1 June 1961 – 25 June 1965 Mountain Home AFB 569th [20]
28th Bombardment Wing 1 December 1960 – 1 January 1962 Ellsworth AFB 850th [21]
44th Strategic Missile Wing 1 January 1962 – 25 March 1965 Ellsworth AFB 850th [22]
451st Strategic Missile Wing 1 July 1961 – 25 June 1965 Lowry AFB 724th 725th [23][note 10]
456th Strategic Aerospace Wing 1 February 1963 – 25 March 1965 Beale AFB 851st [24][note 11]
462nd Strategic Aerospace Wing 1 February 1963 – 25 March 1965 Larson AFB 568th [25][note 12]
703rd Strategic Missile Wing 25 September 1958 – 1 July 1961 Lowry AFB 848th 849th [26][note 13]
4126th Strategic Wing 1 February 1961 – 1 February 1963 Beale AFB 851st [27][note 14]
4170th Strategic Wing 1 April 1961 – 1 February 1963 Larson AFB 568th [28][note 15]

Martin SM-68C (LGM-25C) Titan II

Test launch of a Titan II during the mid 1960s

The Martin LGM-25C Titan II carried a payload twice as heavy as the Titan I. It also used storable propellants, which reduced the time to launch and permitted it to be launched from its silo. Titan II carried the W53 warhead, making it the most powerful ICBM in the US arsenal.

Wings operating the SM 68C (HGM-25C) Titan II
Wing Dates active Station Missile squadron(s) Notes
308th Strategic Missile Wing 1 April 1962 – 18 August 1987 Little Rock AFB 373rd 374th [29]
381st Strategic Missile Wing 1 March 1962 – 8 August 1986 McConnell AFB 532nd 533rd [30]
390th Strategic Missile Wing 1 January 1962 – 31 July 1984 Davis-Monthan AFB 570th 571st [31]

Douglas SM-75 (PGM-17) Thor

Thor launch

The Douglas SM-75 Thor was the first operational ballistic missile of the United States Air Force (USAF). Named after the Norse god of thunder, it was deployed in the United Kingdom between 1959 and September 1963.

Wings operating the SM-75 Thor
Wing Dates active Stations Missile squadron(s) Notes
705th Strategic Missile Wing 20 February 1958 – 1 April 1960 RAF Lakenheath
South Ruislip Air Station		 672nd [32] Trained Royal Air Force units.

Boeing IM-99 (CIM-10) BOMARC

IM-99A BOMARC missile

The Boeing IM-99 BOMARC (Boeing Michigan Aeronautical Research Center) was a supersonic ramjet powered long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) used during the Cold War for the air defense of North America. In addition to being the first operational long-range SAM and the first operational pulse doppler aviation radar, it was the only SAM deployed by the United States Air Force.[33]

Wings operating the IM-99 BOMARC
Wing Dates active Stations Missile squadron(s) Notes
4751st Air Defense Missile Wing (later 4751st Air Defense Wing) 1 October 1957 – 1 July 1962 Hurlburt Field 4751st [34]

LGM-30 Minuteman

Minuteman III launch

The LGM-30 Minuteman, first flown in 1961 was developed to replace the hazards inherent in the caustic, volatile liquid-fuel systems of the Atlas and Titan ICBMs. Two innovations gave the Minuteman a long practical service life: a solid rocket booster making the Minuteman faster to launch than other ICBMs, and a digital flight computer, one of the first recognizably modern embedded systems.

Wings operating LGM-30 Minuteman
Wing Dates active Station Missile squadron(s) Notes
44th Strategic Missile Wing (also 44th Missile Wing 1 July 1963 – 5 July 1994 Ellsworth AFB 66th 67th 68th [22]LGM-30B Minuteman I, 1963 to 1973 LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1971 to 1994
90th Strategic Missile Wing (also 90th Missile Wing, 90th Space Wing) 1 July 1963 – present Francis E. Warren AFB 319th 320th 321st 400th
91st Strategic Missile Wing (also 91st Missile Wing, 91st Space Wing) 25 June 1968 – present Minot AFB 740th 741st 742nd [note 16] LGM-30B Minuteman I, 1968 to 1972 LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1972 to present
321st Strategic Missile Wing (also 321st Missile Wing, 321st Missile Group) 15 July 1961 – 1 July 1994[note 17] Grand Forks AFB : 446th 447th 448th LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1965 to 1973 LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1972 to 1998
341st Strategic Missile Wing (also 341st Missile Wing, 341st Space Wing) 14 August 1964 – present Malmstrom AFB 10th 12th 490th 564th LGM-30A Minuteman I 1962 to 1964 LGM-30B Minuteman I 1964 to 1969 LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1967 to 1996 LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1975 (564 SMS); 1996 (10, 12, 490 SMS) to present
351st Strategic Missile Wing (also 351st Missile Wing) 15 February 1963 – 31 July 1995 Whiteman AFB 508th 509th 510th LGM-30B Minuteman I, 1963 to 1967 LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1966 to 1995
455th Strategic Missile Wing 28 June 1962 – 25 June 1968 Minot AFB 740th 741st 742nd [note 18]LGM-30B Minuteman I
4062nd Strategic Missile Wing 1 December 1960 – 20 February 1962 Hill AFB [35]

General Dynamics BGM-109 Gryphon

BGM-109G Launcher

The General Dynamics BGM-109G Gryphon was a ground-launched cruise missile developed by the United States Air Force in the last decade of the Cold War with a W80 warhead.It was developed as a counter to the mobile nuclear missiles deployed by the Soviet Union in Eastern Bloc European countries. It was removed from service under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

Wings operating BGM-109 Gryphon
Wing Dates active Station Missile squadron(s) Notes
303rd Tactical Missile Wing 12 December 1986 – 31 January 1989 RAF Molesworth 87th [36]BGM-109G
485th Tactical Missile Wing 1 August 1984 – 30 April 1989 Florennes AB 71st [37]BGM-109G
486th Tactical Missile Wing 27 August 1987 – 30 September 1988 Woensdrecht AB 405th [38]BGM-109G
487th Tactical Missile Wing 30 June 1983 – c. 27 May 1991 Comiso AS 302nd BGM-109G
501st Tactical Missile Wing 1 July 1982 – 4 June 1991 RAF Greenham Common 11th [39]BGM-109G

LGM-118 Peacekeeper

LGM-118 Peacekeeper launch

The LGM-118 Peacekeeper, initially known as the MX (for Missile-eXperimental), was a land-based ICBM. A total of 50 missiles were deployed. They were withdrawn from service by 2005 to comply with the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks. Armed with up to 10 re-entry vehicles, each carrying a W87 warhead, the Peacekeeper was the most powerful ICBM deployed by the United States.[40]

Wings operating LGM-118 Peacekeeper
Wing Dates active Station Missile squadron(s) Notes
90th Strategic Missile Wing (also 90th Missile Wing, 90th Space Wing) October 1986 – 10 October 2005 Francis E. Warren AFB 400th [40]

Multiple missile systems

Wings operating multiple missile systems
Wing Dates active Station Missile squadron(s) Notes
392nd Strategic Missile Wing 18 October 1961 – 20 December 1961 Vandenberg AFB 392nd 394th 395th 576th Atlas, Minuteman, Titan[41]
550th Guided Missiles Wing 20 July 1949 – 30 December 1950 Eglin AFB
Patrick AFB		 1st 2nd 3rd Lark, Matador, GAPA, Falcon, Shrike, Rascal, Snark, Boojum[42]
704th Strategic Missile Wing 1 July 1957 – 1 July 1959 Vandenberg AFB 392nd 394th 395th 576th 644th 672nd 864th 865th 866th Atlas, Jupiter, Thor, Titan[43]
4800th Guided Missiles Wing (later 6555th Guided Missiles Wing, 6555th Guided Missile Wing, 6555th Guided Missile Group) 30 December 1950 – 1954 Patrick AFB 1st 69th 4802nd (later 6555th) 4803rd (later 6556th) 6545th 6546th (later 6546th Operations Squadron) 6547th (later 6547th Operations Squadron) [44]
6540th Missile Test Wing (later 6580th Missile Test Wing) c. 30 Jun 1951 – 1 September 1952 Holloman AFB 6580th [45][note 19]
6541st Missile Test Wing (also 6541st Operations Group) 4 September 1951 – c. 1 March 1953 Patrick AFB none [46]
6580th Missile Test Wing 1 September 1952 – 10 October 1952 see 6540th Missile Test Wing.[45]

References

Notes

Explanatory notes
  1. ^ Replaced 701st Tactical Missile Wing. Ravenstein, p. 67
  2. ^ Replaced by 38th Tactical Missile Wing. Ravenstein, p. 67
  3. ^ The squadron was located at Patrick AFB until July 1959. When it moved to Presque Isle, it was inactivated and the missiles were assigned directly to the wing.
  4. ^ Predecessor to 4320th Strategic Wing
  5. ^ In 1964, the 40th Strategic Aerospace Wing was inactivated and SAC transferred Forbes to Tactical Air Command. For the seven months until the 548th Squadron was inactivated, it was transferred to the 55th Wing.
  6. ^ The wing replaced the 4321st Strategic Wing
  7. ^ The wing replaced the 706th Strategic Missile Wing
  8. ^ The wing was replaced by the 389th Strategic Missile Wing
  9. ^ Predecessor to 706th Strategic Missile Wing
  10. ^ Replaced 703rd Strategic Missile Wing.
  11. ^ Replaced 4129th Strategic Wing.
  12. ^ Replaced 4170th Strategic Wing.
  13. ^ Replaced by 451st Strategic Missile Wing.
  14. ^ Replaced by 456th Strategic Aerospace Wing.
  15. ^ Replaced by 462nd Strategic Aerospace Wing.
  16. ^ Replaced 455th Strategic Missile Wing.
  17. ^ It continued to operate missiles until 1998 as a group
  18. ^ Replaced by 91st Strategic Missile Wing.
  19. ^ Was 2754th Experimental Wing, redesignated Holloman Air Development Test Center.
Citations
  1. ^ Lanning, p. 11, 12-13
  2. ^ Lanning pp. 20-21
  3. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 66-67
  4. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 291-292
  5. ^ "Northrop SM-62 Snark". National Museum of the United States Air Force. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  6. ^ Ravenstein, p. 292
  7. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 16-17
  8. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 26-27
  9. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 128-130
  10. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 88-90
  11. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 128-130
  12. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 128-130
  13. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 138-141
  14. ^ Ravenstein, p. 158-159
  15. ^ Ravenstein, p. 211
  16. ^ Ravenstein, p. 211
  17. ^ Ravenstein, p. 294
  18. ^ Mueller, p. 184
  19. ^ Greene, pp. 11, 13
  20. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 23-24
  21. ^ Maurer, p. 781
  22. ^ a b Ravenstein, pp. 73-74
  23. ^ Ravenstein, p. 247
  24. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 251-252
  25. ^ Ravenstein, p. 256
  26. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 292-293
  27. ^ Maurer, pp. 781-782
  28. ^ Maurer, pp. 665-666
  29. ^ Information through September 1977 in Ravenstein, pp. 156-158
  30. ^ Information through September 1977 in Ravenstein, pp. 206-207
  31. ^ Information through September 1977 in Ravenstein, pp. 206-207
  32. ^ Ravenstein, p. 294; Maurer, pp. 700-701
  33. ^ Baugher, Joe. "Boeing/MARC F-99". JoeBaugher.com. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  34. ^ Mueller, p. 130
  35. ^ Mueller, p. 243
  36. ^ Bailey, Carl E. (2 August 2006). "Factsheet 303 Aeronautical Systems Wing (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  37. ^ Bailey, Carl E. (3 March 2003). "Lineage and Honors History of the 485th Air Expeditionary Wing (ACC)" (PDF). Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  38. ^ Endicott, Judy G. (26 March 2003). "Lineage and Honors History of the 486 Air Expeditionary Wing (ACC)" (PDF). Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  39. ^ Stephens, Maj Tonia (14 June 2017). "Factsheet 501 Combat Support Wing (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  40. ^ a b "The Peacekeeper (MX) ICBM". The Nuclear Weapon Archive. 10 October 1997. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  41. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 212-213
  42. ^ Ravenstein, p. 139
  43. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 293-294
  44. ^ Mueller, p. 465
  45. ^ a b Mueller, p. 249
  46. ^ Mueller, p. 465

Bibliography

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

  • Green, Warren E. (1962). The Development of the SM-68 Titan (Secret-NOFORN) (declassified) (Report). AFSC Historical Publications 62-23-1. Andrews AFB, MD: Air Force Systems Command. Retrieved 12 June 2022. (Homeland Security Digital Library link to .pdf)
  • Lanning, Lt Col Randall L. (1992). United States Air Force Ground Launched Cruise Missiles: A Study in Technology, Concepts and Deterrence (pdf) (Report). Maxwell AFB, AL: Air War College. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  • 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.
  • Mueller, Robert (1989). Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-53-6. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  • Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
  • SAC Missile Chronology 1939-1988 (PDF). Offutt AFB, NE: Office of the Historian, Strategic Air Command. 1990. ISBN 978-1521159439. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
Further reading
  • Leonard, Barry (2009). History of Strategic Air and Ballistic Missile Defense (PDF). Vol. I, 1945–1955. Fort McNair, DC: Center for Military History. ISBN 978-1-43792-131-1.
  • Leonard, Barry (2009). History of Strategic Air and Ballistic Missile Defense (PDF). Vol. II, 1955–1972. Fort McNair, DC: Center for Military History. ISBN 978-1-43792-131-1.
  • Mindling, George; Bolton, Robert (2008). U.S. Air Force Tactical Missiles, 1949-1969: The Pioneers. Raleigh, NC: Lulu Press, Inc. ISBN 978-0-557-00029-6. LCCN 2008908364. (link to Google Books partial text)
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