| 510th Missile Squadron | |
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510th Missile Squadron emblem |
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| Active | |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Missile |
| Role | Strategic Attack |
| Part of | AFSPC/20 AF/351 MW |
| Garrison/HQ | Whiteman AFB, Missouri |
| Decorations | AFOUA |
The United States Air Force's 510th Missile Squadron (510 MS) was a missile unit located at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. After the end of the Cold War, and lessening of tensions with Russia, the 510 MS was deactivated along with its contingent of Minuteman II missiles. The 510 MS was unique among the 20 Minuteman missile squadrons, as it was the only one that controlled Program 494L Emergency Rocket Communication System payloads atop its sorties.
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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 15 November 1962 the 510th 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 29 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.
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510th Missile Squadron Launch Facilities
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
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