510th Missile Squadron

510th Missile Squadron
LGM-30F Minuteman II test launch at Vandenburg AFB, California
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Squadron
Role	Intercontinental ballistic missile
Garrison/HQ	Whiteman AFB, Missouri
Engagements	World War II (EAME Theater)
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (6x)
Insignia
510th Missile Squadron emblem

Boeing B-17G-85-BO Flying Fortress, Serial 43-38465 of the 510th Bomb Squadron. This aircraft survived the war and returned to USA on June 8, 1945

The 510th Missile Squadron (510 MS) is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 351st Missile Group, stationed at Whiteman AFB, Missouri.

The 510 MS was equipped with the LGM-30F Minuteman II Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), with a mission of nuclear deterrence. With the end of the Cold War, the 510th was inactivated on 28 July 1995.

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.

History

World War II

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.

Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Squadron

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.

Lineage

World War II 510th Bombardment Squadron emblem

• Constituted 510th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 25 September 1942

Activated on 1 October 1942

Inactivated on 28 August 1945

• Re-designated 510th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) on 23 September 1947

Activated in the reserve on 15 October 1947

Inactivated on 27 June 1949

• Re-designated as: 510th Strategic Missile Squadron (ICBM-Minuteman) on 15 Nov 1962

Organized on 1 May 1963

Re-designated as: 510th 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: TU

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

Stations

Salt Lake City Army Air Base, Utah, 1 October 1942 Gowen Field, Idaho, 1 October 1942 Geiger Field, Washington, November 1942 Biggs Field, Texas, 2 January 1943 Pueblo Army Air Base, Colorado, 2 March-12 April 1943

RAF Polebrook (AAF-110), England, 12 May 1943 – 9 June 1945 Sioux Falls Army Air Field, South Dakota, July-28 August 1945 Fairfax Field, Kansas, 15 October 1947 – 27 June 1949 Whiteman AFB, Missouri, 1 May 1963 – 28 July 1995

Aircraft and missiles

LGM-30 Minuteman Missile Alert and Launch Facilities

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

510th Missile Squadron Launch Facilities

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

K-01 6.3 mi WxSW of Adrian MO, (incorrectly identified here as part of the 510th)38°21′16″N 094°27′16″W / 38.35444°N 94.45444°W

L-01 8.8 mi NE of Adrian MO, 38°29′55″N 094°15′10″W / 38.49861°N 94.25278°W

M-01 32.6 mi ExNE of Holden MO, 38°43′30″N 093°56′40″W / 38.72500°N 93.94444°W

N-01 3.9 mi ExSE of Odessa MO, 38°58′14″N 093°53′32″W / 38.97056°N 93.89222°W

*O-01 On Whiteman AFB, MO 38°43′14″N 093°33′56″W / 38.72056°N 93.56556°W

*Preserved, but not open to the public.

The correct flights for the 510th squadron are FOXTROT INDIA MIKE NOVEMBER OSCAR.

See also

Coordinates: 38°43′49″N 093°32′53″W / 38.73028°N 93.54806°W

• List of United States Air Force missile squadrons
• Post Attack Command and Control System
• Emergency Rocket Communications System

References

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

• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979.
• 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.
• Whiteman AFB Minuteman Missile Site Coordinates