490th Missile Squadron

490th Missile Squadron

LGM-30G Minuteman III test launch at Vandenburg AFB, California
Active 1942-1945; 1947-1949; 1955-1961; 1961-present
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Type Squadron
Role Intercontinental ballistic missile
Part of 341st Operations Group
Air Force Global Strike Command
Garrison/HQ Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
Engagements
World War II (Asia-Pacific Theater)
Decorations
Distinguished Unit Citation

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (17x)
Insignia
490th Missile Squadron emblem (approved 2 March 1995)[1]
490th Bombardment Squadron emblem (approved 11 July 1956)[2]
490th Bombardment Squadron World War II emblem

The 490th Missile Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 341st Operations Group, stationed at Malmstrom AFB, Montana. The 490 MS is equipped with the LGM-30G Minuteman III Intercontinental ballistic missile, with a mission of nuclear deterrence.

The squadron was first activated in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II. It served in combat until V-J Day. Following the war, it returned to the United States, where it was inactivated. The squadron was again activated in 1955 as a Boeing B-47 Stratofortress unit of Strategic Air Command until inactivating in 1961. The following year, it activated in its current role as the 490th Strategic Missile Squadron.

History

World War II

Activated as a North American B-25 Mitchell medium bomber squadron at Karachi, India, 16 September 1942, assigned to 341st Bombardment Group, which was activated the day before. Cadre personnel were drawn from 11th Bombardment Squadron and other units in India. After receiving full complement of ground support personnel 1 December 1942, Ground Echelon began transfer to Camp Moire, Ondal (Aandal), India 30 December. Air Echelon transferred 1 February 1943 with first combat mission on 18 Feb. Operating under Tenth Air Force for next two years, squadron primarily performed interdiction missions against Japanese lines of communications as well as supporting British ground forces in Burma during 1943 and 1944. The squadron interrupted combat operations and flew supplies from Chittagong, India to Allied Forces defending Imphal, India between 20 May and 30 June 1944 before resuming combat operations. 490th Bomb Squadron developed and perfected bridge destroying bombing technique and became known as "Burma Bridge Busters." Assumed secondary role of dropping leaflets over Burma for the United States Office of War Information from, January–March 1945. Reassigned to Fourteenth Air Force in China; beginning combat operations in China on 16 April 1945; squadron interdicted enemy lines of communication and supported Chinese ground forces until the end of the war.

Personnel demobilized in India, squadron returned to the United States and inactivated as a paper unit.

Strategic Air Command

Was reactivated in 1955 as a Strategic Air Command Boeing B-47 Stratojet squadron . Trained in air refueling and strategic bombardment operations with the B-47. in 1961, the squadron began transferring its B-47s to other SAC wings and became non-operational.

Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Squadron

Reactivated on 1 May 1962 as an ICBM squadron assigned to the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. Initially equipped with 50 LGM-30A Minuteman Is in early 1962, becoming SAC's third operational Minuteman ICBM squadron. Upgraded to the Minuteman IB in 1964; Minuteman IIF, in 1967. Received control of LGM-30G Minuteman III silos from inactivating 321st Strategic Missile Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota in 1996; Minuteman IIs being retired. Has maintained ICBMs on alert ever since.[1]

In 2010 The United States Air Force Global Strike Command started again with their famous competitions to bring back the glory days of the 1960s. The Global Strike Challenge was hosted at Barksdale Air Force on November 16 and 17. The 490th Missile Squadron sent Captain Kevin Hullihan and 1Lt Brian J. Marlow to compete in this competition. The crew achieved the best score in Emergency war orders, resulting in earning the Neary Trophy.

In 2011 1Lt John Malek and 1Lt Matthew Ditson competed in the Global Srike Competition and won the McMahon Trophy for Best ICBM Weapon System score. In addition to the McMahon they also played a key role in earning the Klotz Trophy for Best ICBM Operations.

Lineage

Activated on 15 September 1942
Redesignated 490th Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 1 August 1943
Inactivated on 2 November 1945
Activated in the reserve on 4 April 1947
Inactivated on 27 June 1949
Activated on 1 September 1955
Discontinued and inactivated on 25 June 1961
Organized on 1 May 1962
Redesignated 490th Missile Squadron on 1 September 1991[1]

Assignments

Stations

  • Camp Malir, Karachi, India, 15 September 1942
  • Moire Camp, Ondal, India, 5 January 1943 (operated from Chakulia Airfield, India, 20–25 May 1943)
  • Kurmitola Airfield, India, 25 May 1943
  • Dergaon, India, 26 August 1944
  • Moran, India, 20 October 1944
  • Warazup, Burma, 29 November 1944
Detachment operated from Hsian Airfield, China, 16 April – 4 August 1945
  • Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, 1–2 November 1945
  • Dow Field (later Dow Air Force Base), Maine, 4 April 1947 – 27 June 1949
  • Abilene Air Force Base (later Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, 1 September 1955 – 25 June 1961
Deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, 9 January – c. 3 April 1958
  • Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, 1 May 1962 – present[1]

Aircraft and Missiles

LGM-30 Minuteman Missile Alert and Launch Facilities

490th Missile Squadron Launch Facilities

Missile Alert Facilities (K-O flights, each controlling 10 missiles) are located as follows:
K-01 1.7 mi ExNE of Harlowton MT, 46°26′43″N 109°48′05″W / 46.44528°N 109.80139°W / 46.44528; -109.80139 (K-01)
L-01 1.3 mi NxNE of Judith Gap MT 46°41′40″N 109°44′27″W / 46.69444°N 109.74083°W / 46.69444; -109.74083 (L-01)
M-01 4.1 mi NE of Moore MT, 47°00′49″N 109°37′51″W / 47.01361°N 109.63083°W / 47.01361; -109.63083 (M-01)
N-01 11.0 mi WxNW of Grassrange MT, 47°03′33″N 109°01′54″W / 47.05917°N 109.03167°W / 47.05917; -109.03167 (N-01)
O-01 1.5 mi E of Roy MT, 47°19′43″N 108°55′37″W / 47.32861°N 108.92694°W / 47.32861; -108.92694 (O-01)

See also

Coordinates: 47°30′17″N 111°11′14″W / 47.50472°N 111.18722°W / 47.50472; -111.18722 (Malmstrom AFB)

References

Notes
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Robertson, Patsy (September 22, 2008). "Factsheet 490 Missile Squadron (AFGSC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  2. ↑ Maurer, combat Squadrons, pp. 589-590

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

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