741st Missile Squadron

741st Missile Squadron
LGM-30G Minuteman III test launch at Vandenburg AFB, California
Active	1961-Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Squadron
Role	Intercontinental ballistic missile
Garrison/HQ	Minot AFB, North Dakota
Nickname(s)	"Gravelhaulers"
Motto(s)	FIDELITAS ET FORTITUDO—Fidelity and Fortitude[1]
Engagements	World War II (EAME Theater)
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation (2x) Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (9x)
Commanders
Current commander	Lt Col J. Keith Brown
Insignia
741st Missile Squadron emblem

The United States Air Force's 741st Missile Squadron is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) unit located at Minot AFB, North Dakota.

Mission

The 741st Missile squadron vigilantly maintains the missile force around-the-clock. Each squadron controls 50 launch facilities and five missile alert facilities. Missile squadrons are divided into missile operations flights and an operation support flight.^[2][3]

The missile operations flights are composed of officer crewmembers who, when on alert, are responsible for day-to-day operations, maintenance and security of the missiles within their control and are prepared to launch their missiles at all times. Facility managers are responsible for and ensure the readiness of the missile alert facilities. The alert facility chefs are responsible for providing meals to missile alert facility personnel.^[1]

Each squadron is responsible for 5 flights of 10 missiles each, or 50 missiles. Sites are designated by flight, using one letter of the alphabet, followed by a number. The first site in each flight is #1 and designates the Missile Alert Facility (MAF) which consists of an above-ground structure plus an underground Launch Control Center (LCC) staffed by two officers. The Launch Facilities (LFs, i.e. missile silos) are numbered 2 through 11 and are connected to the MAF/LCC by the Hardened Intersite Cable System (HICS) which also interconnects flights. The 740th SMS includes flights A through E; the 741st includes flights F through J; and the 742nd includes flights K through O.

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.^[1]

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. A B-24 pilot of the 741st was Senator George McGovern.

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 Nov 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.

Communications

The 741 MS became the first unit in 20th Air Force/Air Force Space Command to operate the LCC Netlink computer system. This system allows missile combat crew members access to the Internet while on alert. Prior to Netlink, no external communication systems, aside from telephone, was allowed into the launch control center.^[4]

Lineage

World War II 741st Bombardment Squadron emblem

• Constituted 741st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 14 May 1943

Activated on 1 Jun 1943

Inactivated on 9 Sep 1945

• Re-designated 741st Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) on 27 Dec 1946

Activated in the reserve on 10 Jan 1947

Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949

• Re-designated 741st Fighter-Day Squadron on 7 May 1956.

Activated on 25 Jul 1956

Inactivated on 1 Jul 1957

• Re-designated 741st Strategic Missile Squadron, and activated, on 28 Jun 1962

Organized on 1 Nov 1962

Re-designated as 741st Missile Squadron on 1 Sep 1991.

Assignments

• 455th Bombardment Group, 1 Jun 1943 – 9 Sep 1945
• Tenth Air Force, 10 Jan 1947
• 455th Bombardment Group, 25 Mar 1947 – 27 Jun 1949
• 455th Fighter-Day Group, 25 Jul 1956 – 1 Jul 1957
• Strategic Air Command, 28 Jun 1962
• 455th Strategic Missile Wing, 1 Nov 1962
• 91st Strategic Missile Wing, 25 Jun 1968
• 4091st Operations Group, 1 Jul 1988
• 91st Strategic Missile Wing, 14 Feb 1991
• 91st Operations Group, 1 Sep 1991
• 91st Missile Group, 1 Jul 1994
• 91st Operations Group, 1 Feb 1996–Present

Stations

• Alamogordo Army Airfield, New Mexico, 1 Jun 1943
• Kearns Army Air Base, Utah, 9 Sep 1943
• Langley Field, Virginia, 5 Oct-13 Dec 1943
• San Giovanni Airfield, Italy, 15 Jan 1944
• Bari Airfield, Italy, c. Jul-9 Sep 1945
• Hensley Field, Texas, 10 Jan 1947 – 27 Jun 1949
• Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina, 25 Jul 1956 – 1 Jul 1957
• Minot AFB, North Dakota, 1 Nov 1962–Present

Aircraft and missiles

LGM-30 Minuteman Missile Alert and Launch Facilities

• B-24 Liberator, 1943–1945
• B-29 Superfortress, 1947–1949
• LGM-30 Minuteman I, 1963–1971
• LGM-30 Minuteman III, 1968–Present

741st Missile Squadron Launch Facilities

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

F-1 8.3 mi WxNW of Douglas ND, 47°53′46″N 101°40′26″W / 47.89611°N 101.67389°W

G-1 7.1 mi N of Plaza SD, 48°07′11″N 101°57′38″W / 48.11972°N 101.96056°W

H-1 4.3 mi WxNW of Parshall ND, 47°58′27″N 102°13′20″W / 47.97417°N 102.22222°W

I-1 4.3 mi ExNE of Stanley ND, 48°20′42″N 102°18′16″W / 48.34500°N 102.30444°W

J-1 9.8 mi NW of Berthold ND, 48°24′43″N 101°53′29″W / 48.41194°N 101.89139°W

See also

Coordinates: 48°24′57″N 101°21′29″W / 48.41583°N 101.35806°W

• 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.

1. Air Force Historical Research Agency: 741st Missile Squadron Factsheet
2. Minot AFB Minuteman Missile Site Coordinates
3. Minot AFB Public Affairs: 741st Missile Squadron Factsheet
4. Air Force Space Command Public Affairs: High Frontier, Launch Control Center Netlink

• 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.
• Minot AFB Minuteman Missile Site Coordinates
• 91st Missile Wing fact sheet

External links

• 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs: Minot AFB Homepage