740th Missile Squadron

740th Missile Squadron

LGM-30G Minuteman III test launch at Vandenberg AFB, California
Active 1943-Present
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Type Squadron
Role Intercontinental ballistic missile
Garrison/HQ Minot AFB, North Dakota
Motto Custodes pacis
Engagements
World War II (EAME Theater)
Decorations
Distinguished Unit Citation (2x)

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (9x)
Insignia
740th Missile Squadron emblem

The United States Air Force's 740th Missile Squadron is a missile operations squadron of the 91st Missile Wing, 91st Operations Group, located at Minot AFB, North Dakota.

Mission

The 740th missile squadron controls and maintains 50 launch facilities and 5 missile alert facitilies.[1] The squadron is divided into missile operations flights, which are responsible for day-to-day operations, maintenance, and security, and operations support flights, which are responsible for ensuring the readiness of the missile alert facilities.[1]

History

World War II

Established as a B-24 Liberator heavy bombardment unit in mid-1943; assigned to II Bomber Command for training. Primarily trained in New Mexico and Utah received deployment orders for the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) in November 1943. Moved to Virginia where the group flew long-range convoy escort missions over the Mid-Atlantic, October–November 1943 while station in Italy was being constructed.

Deployed to Southern Italy in January 1944; entered combat in January 1944, being assigned to Fifteenth Air Force. Engaged in very long range strategic bombing missions to enemy military, industrial and transportation targets in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia, bombing railroad marshalling yards, oil refineries, airdrome installations, heavy industry, and other strategic objectives.

In addition to strategic missions in the Balkans, the group bombed troop concentrations, bridges, marshalling yards, and airdromes during the fall of 1944 to hamper the enemy’s withdrawal from the region. The group also supported ground forces at Anzio and Cassino in March 1944; knocked out gun positions in preparation for the invasion of Southern France in August 1944; and assisted the final Allied drive through Italy in April 1945 by hitting such targets as bridges, gun positions, and troop concentrations.

Remained in Italy after the German Capitulation in May, although unit personnel were demobilized throughout the summer of 1945. Group was inactivated in Italy on 9 September 1945.

Reactivated in the Air Force Reserve in 1947 with B-29 Superfortresses. Trained at Hensley Field, Texas. Inactivated in 1949 due to budget restrictions.

Tactical Air Command

Allocated to Tactical Air Command during the 1950s. Activated at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina in 1956 as part of a second Fighter-Day Group planned for the new installation. Some personnel were assigned but never became operational with aircraft. Inactivated in July 1957 due to budget restrictions; personnel assigned were reassigned to 354th Fighter-Day Group.

Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Squadron

Reactivated on 1 November 1962 as an ICBM squadron assigned to the 455th Strategic Missile Wing at Minot AFB, North Dakota. Initially equipped with 50 LGM-30B Minuteman Is in 1963. Reassigned to 91st Strategic Missile Wing in 1968. Upgraded to LGM-30G Minuteman III in 1968/1969, has maintained ICBMs on alert ever since.

Lineage

World War II 740th Bombardment Squadron emblem
Activated on 1 June 1943
Inactivated on 9 September 1945
Activated in the reserve on 10 January 1947
Inactivated on 27 June 1949
Activated on 25 July 1956
Inactivated on 1 July 1957
Organized on 1 November 1962
Re-designated as 740 Missile Squadron on 1 September 1991.

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft and missiles

LGM-30 Minuteman Missile Alert and Launch Facilities

740th Missile Squadron Launch Facilities

Missile Alert Facilities (A-E flights, each controlling 10 missiles) are located as follows:
A-1 2.3 mi WxNW of Balfour ND, 47°58′00″N 100°34′51″W / 47.96667°N 100.58083°W / 47.96667; -100.58083 (A-01)
B-1 8.6 mi SxSW of Voltaire ND, 47°54′31″N 100°55′37″W / 47.90861°N 100.92694°W / 47.90861; -100.92694 (B-01)
C-1 9.2 mi SxSW of Ruso ND, 47°42′52″N 101°00′36″W / 47.71444°N 101.01000°W / 47.71444; -101.01000 (C-01)
D-1 1.8 mi S of Max ND, 47°47′42″N 101°17′54″W / 47.79500°N 101.29833°W / 47.79500; -101.29833 (D-01)
E-1 10.8 mi SW of Douglas ND, 47°45′02″N 101°40′29″W / 47.75056°N 101.67472°W / 47.75056; -101.67472 (E-01)

See also

Coordinates: 48°24′57″N 101°21′29″W / 48.41583°N 101.35806°W / 48.41583; -101.35806 (Minot AFB)

References

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

  1. 1 2 Fact Sheet: 740th Missile Squadron. Minot Air Force Base. Accessed: 3 November 2007.

External links

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