508th Missile Squadron

AFOUA

The United States Air Force's 508th Missile Squadron (508 MS) was a missile unit located at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. After the end of the Cold War, and lessening of tensions with Russia, the 508 MS was deactivated along with its contingent of Minuteman II missiles.

History

Activated in late 1942 as a B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomb squadron, trained under Second Air Force. Deployed to England in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) during April 1943, assigned to VIII Bomber Command as a strategic bombardment squadron. Participated in the air offensive over Nazi Germany and Occupied Europe until German capitulation in May 1945. Personnel demobilized in England and returned to the United States; squadron reassigned to Second Air Force and was programmed to be re-equipped with B-29 Superfortresses for deployment to Pacific Theater. Japanese capitulation led to units inactivation in September 1945, being neither manned or equipped.

Activated in the postwar reserve as a B-29 squadron. Inactivated in 1949 due to budget reductions.

On 9 August 1962 the 508th Strategic Missile Squadron was activated as a SAC LGM-30B Minuteman I intercontinental ballistic missile wing. Activated on 1 May 1963, being made operational on 14 January 1964, with a complement of 50 missiles. Declared combat ready on 5 June 1964. From May 1966 to October 1967, converted to LGM-30F Minuteman II missiles.

With the restructuring of the Air Force and the disestablishment of Strategic Air Command (SAC) in the early 1990s was reassigned to Air Combat Command (ACC) in 1992 and then under Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) in 1993.

Remained on Cold War nuclear alert until in response to President Bush's directive to stand down the Minuteman II. Dissipated launch codes and pin safety control switches at 15 launch control facilities. Deactivation of the entire missile complex ended in the spring of 1995; squadron inactivated on 28 July.

Lineage

• Constituted 508th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 25 September 1942

Activated on 1 October 1942

Inactivated on 28 August 1945

• Redesignated 508th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) on 23 September 1947

Activated in the reserve on 15 October 1947

Inactivated on 27 June 1949

• Redesignated as: 508th Strategic Missile Squadron (ICBM-Minuteman) on 9 August 1962

Organized on 1 May 1963

Redesignated as: 508th Missile Squadron on 1 September 1991

Inactivated on 28 July 1995

Assignments

• 351st Bombardment Group, 1 October 1942-28 August 1945; 15 October 1947-27 June 1949

ETO Fuselage Code: YB

• 351st Strategic Missile Wing, 1 May 1963
• 351st Operations Group, 1 September 1991-28 July 1995

Stations

Aircraft and missiles

• B-17 Flying Fortress, 1942–1945
• B-29 Superfortress, 1947–1949
• LGM-30B Minuteman I, 1963–1967
• LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1966–1995

508th Missile Squadron Launch Facilities

Missile Alert Facilities (A-E flights, each controlling 10 missiles) are located as follows:

A-01 3.5 mi SE of Blackburn MO,

B-01 38.1 mi ExNE of Houstonia MO,

C-01 5.6 mi SxSW of Pilot Grove MO,

D-01 6.1 mi SE of Syracuse MO,

E-01 7.3 mi WxSW of Florence MO,

Decorations

• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ^[1]
  • 30 May 1990-29 May 1992
  • 1 July 1986-30 June 1987
  • 1 July 1980-30 June 1982
  • 1 July 1975-30 June 1977
  • 9 June 1972-10 July 1972
  • 1 July 1969-30 June 1970

See also

• List of United States Air Force missile squadrons

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.