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==History==
==History==
12th Strategic Missile Squadron’s heritage can be traced back to 1940 at Langley Field, Virginia, when the defense build-up in the Caribbean area occurred at an accelerated rate. In November of that year, the squadron's B-18s landed at Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico. Throughout World War II, the 12th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, was located at St. Croix, St. Nicholas, and Antigua. Using at first B-18s and later B-25s in an anti-submarine role, the 12th protected vulnerable shipping lanes in the Caribbean area, allowing strategic materials to pass safely through to European destinations. On June 20, 1944, the victorious 12th Bombardment Squadron was disbanded.
12th Strategic Missile Squadron’s heritage can be traced back to 1940 at Langley Field, Virginia, when the defense build-up in the United States occurred at an accelerated rate. The unit moved from Langley where it trained initially, to [[Borinquen Field]], [[Puerto Rico]] on 1 November 1940. by which date it had been again redesignated as the '''12th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)'''. Following the initial deployment to Puerto Rico, the Squadron participated in various training and familiarization flights with its small complement of [[B-18 Bolo]] medium bombers, until 8 November 1941 when it was ordered to deploy to [[Benedict Field]], [[St. Croix]], which it was destined to occupy from then until September 1942.

Throughout World War II, the 12th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, was located at St. Croix, St. Nicholas, and Antigua. Using at first B-18s and later B-25s in an anti-submarine role, the 12th protected vulnerable shipping lanes in the Caribbean area, allowing strategic materials to pass safely through to European destinations. On June 20, 1944, the 12th Bombardment Squadron was disbanded.


Eleven years later, on September 1, 1955, the 12th Bombardment Squadron, Medium, was activated at Abilene Air Force Base, Texas. Before being disbanded once more in 1961, the 12th’s B-47s engaged in training that made it a powerful element of the nation’s strategic air power.
Eleven years later, on September 1, 1955, the 12th Bombardment Squadron, Medium, was activated at Abilene Air Force Base, Texas. Before being disbanded once more in 1961, the 12th’s B-47s engaged in training that made it a powerful element of the nation’s strategic air power.

Revision as of 16:23, 6 July 2010

12th Missile Squadron
12th Missile Squadron emblem
Active1939-
1961-Present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
Part ofUnited States Air Force/Air Force Global Strike Command
Garrison/HQMalmstrom AFB, Montana
EngagementsWorld War II
Emblem of the 12th Bombardment Squadron

The United States Air Force's 12th Missile Squadron is a missile unit located at Malmstrom AFB, Montana.

Mission

The mission of the 341st Missile Wing is to keep America free and strong by providing combat-ready people and aerospace forces.[1]

Heraldry

On a disc of Light Blue sky spattered with White stars, the top of the globe issuing from base, Black, grid lines White; over all a Dark Gray mailed hand issuing from sinister chief, outlines and highlights White, details Light Blue, grasping a sword in pale, point to base, hilt and pommel AF Golden Yellow, blade White, shaded Light Blue, outlines and details Dark Gray, a Red oval spot on pommel, all between a Red lightning flash edged White and a Green Olive branch, details AF Golden Yellow, pilewise. Approved on 5 August 1957 (K 2568).

History

12th Strategic Missile Squadron’s heritage can be traced back to 1940 at Langley Field, Virginia, when the defense build-up in the United States occurred at an accelerated rate. The unit moved from Langley where it trained initially, to Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico on 1 November 1940. by which date it had been again redesignated as the 12th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy). Following the initial deployment to Puerto Rico, the Squadron participated in various training and familiarization flights with its small complement of B-18 Bolo medium bombers, until 8 November 1941 when it was ordered to deploy to Benedict Field, St. Croix, which it was destined to occupy from then until September 1942.

Throughout World War II, the 12th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, was located at St. Croix, St. Nicholas, and Antigua. Using at first B-18s and later B-25s in an anti-submarine role, the 12th protected vulnerable shipping lanes in the Caribbean area, allowing strategic materials to pass safely through to European destinations. On June 20, 1944, the 12th Bombardment Squadron was disbanded.

Eleven years later, on September 1, 1955, the 12th Bombardment Squadron, Medium, was activated at Abilene Air Force Base, Texas. Before being disbanded once more in 1961, the 12th’s B-47s engaged in training that made it a powerful element of the nation’s strategic air power.

In less than three months, the unit was redesignated as the 12th Strategic Missile Squadron (SMS). At the same time, it was assigned to the Strategic Air Command for organization at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. Upon organization, it became the second Minuteman ICBM squadron in the Air Force. During the mid-1960s the 12th replaced it’s 50 Minuteman I missiles with Minuteman IIs. The 12th SMS was the first squadron at Malmstrom to undergo weapon system upgrade to Minuteman Mod; and on April 22, 1967, it was the first squadron to become fully operational with the new Minuteman II missiles under this program. The 12th SMS was also the first squadron in the wing to undergo silo upgrade. By 1978, the Improved Launch Control System (ILCS) had replaced the Minuteman Mod system and the 12th SMS once again had the state-of-the-art weapon system. The 12th Missile Squadron (MS) led the way in removing Minuteman II missiles and replacing them with Minuteman III's. The new missile enhances capability, increases flexibility, and marks yet another system upgrade.

In 1994, the 12 MS reorganized under the objective squadron concept. This reorganization took the three combat disciplines, ICBM Operations, Security Police, and Electro- mechanical Maintenance, and combined them under the "one hat" of the missile squadron commander. In early June 1995, Electro-mechanical Maintenance returned to the Logistics Group. In February 1996, Missile Field Chefs became part of the 12 MS team.[2]

Lineage

  • Constituted 12th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 22 December 1939
Activated on 1 February 1940
Redesignated: 12th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 7 May 1942
Redesignated: 12th Bombardment Squadron, Medium, on 21 September 1943
Disbanded on 20 June 1944
  • Reconstituted, and redesignated 12th Bombardment Squadron, Light, on 10 March 1947
Activated in the Reserve on 24 July 1947
Inactivated on 27 June 1949
  • Redesignated 12th Bombardment Squadron, Medium, on 7 June 1955
Activated on 1 September 1955
Discontinued, and inactivated, on 25 June 1961
  • Redesignated 12th Strategic Missile Squadron (ICBM-Minuteman), and activated, on 22 September 1961
Organized on 1 March 1962
Redesignated 12th Missile Squadron on 1 September 1991.

Assignments

Under operational control of Antilles Air Task Force and VI Bomber Command, 1 November 1942-20 June 1944

Stations

Detachment operated from Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico, c. November 1942-23 November 1943
Deployed at: Andersen AFB, Guam, 9 January-c. 4 April 1958

Aircraft and Missiles

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  • Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
  • Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0892010975
  1. ^ http://www.malmstrom.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4671
  2. ^ http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/agency/12ms.htm

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=12th_Missile_Squadron&oldid=372051502"