564th Missile Squadron

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 564th Missile Squadron


caption= 564th Missile Squadron emblem
dates= 1943-15 August 2008
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Air Force
type= Missile Operations
role= Nuclear Deterrence
size=
command_structure=341st Missile Wing
current_commander=
garrison= Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Deuce
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= Ploesti Oil Field Raid, Ploesti, Romania
anniversaries=

The 564th Missile Squadron (564 MS, nicknamed "Deuce") is a unit of the United States Air Force at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. The missileers of the 564th are responsible for five Missile Alert Facilities and 50 Minuteman III ICBMs. The squadron has five missile combat crews on alert duty, 24 hours a day, every day, with the support of facility managers and chefs, and security forces from the 341st Security Forces Group.

Mission

The squadron provides command and control for 50 Minuteman III Nuclear Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) from 5 underground Launch Control Centers (LCCs).

Chain of Command

* United States Department of Defense
* United States Air Force
* Air Force Space Command
* Twentieth Air Force
* 341st Space Wing
* 341st Operations Group

History

The 564th Missile Squadron began its proud heritage as a B-24 squadron operating in the European theater during World War II. In July 1943, the squadron flew its first combat mission in support of the Sicilian Campaign, operating from Bengazi, Libya. On Aug. 1, 1943, the 564th MS participated in the infamous raids on the Ploesti oil field in Romania. The unit departed its final European base in England May 30, 1945 and disbanded at Charleston Army Airfield, South Carolina, Sept. 13, 1945.

On Jan. 28, 1947, the squadron was redesignated the 564th Bombardment Squadron (very heavy) and reactivated at Fairfax Field, Kansas City, Kansas, as a reserve unit flying the B-36. When the B-36 was phased out of the active inventory, the 564th MS was again deactivated June 27, 1947.

On July 1, 1958, the 564th Strategic Missile Squadron was activated at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. With its Atlas D intercontinental ballistic missile weapon system, the 564th SMS became the first missile unit constructed solely for operational purposes. As the Atlas D missile became outmoded, however, the 564th SMS was inactivated for the final time Sept. 1, 1964.

On Dec. 14, 1965, the 564th MS was reactivated in its current role as an ICBM squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Equipped with the then-new Minuteman II missile, it earned its nickname as the "Deuce" squadron and was declared fully operational May 3, 1967.

Deactivation

As a result of the 2005 Quadrennial Defense Review, the 341st Space Wing is preparing for the proposed deactivation of the Minuteman III WS-133B missile system and subsequent inactivation of the 564th Missile Squadron.

Prior to any inactivation and deactivation actions, the public will have the opportunity to weigh in on the Environmental Assessment that is currently being conducted. The Environmental Assessment analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the proposed actions, prior to implementation. The draft of the assessment will be available for public comment later this week.

Once the public comment period has passed and the Environmental Assessment has been finalized, the Minuteman III WS-133B program will begin a 24-month draw down. The initial phase of this draw down will involve removing the squadron's 50 missiles from their silos, a process that should take 12 months or less. A variety of other activities supporting the overall effort could continue for an additional 12 months.

"The Minuteman III has served the United States exceptionally during its deployment and will continue to do so," said Col. Sandra Finan, commander, 341st SW.

Malmstrom AFB currently operates, maintains and secures two types of Minuteman III Rapid Execution and Combat Targeting (REACT) weapons systems; the REACT-A and REACT-B configurations. The wing will deactivate its Minuteman III REACT-B command and control systems, operated by the 564th Missile Squadron. The Minuteman III missiles removed during deactivation will return to the weapon system's flight test and operation programs, extending the system's viable service life.

"The men and women of the 564th Missile Squadron have a distinguished history serving our country and we are proud of the great work they have done to accomplish our strategic deterrence mission," Colonel Finan said.

The 341st Space Wing will continue to operate, maintain and secure 150 Minuteman III ICBMs and 15 Launch Control Centers providing safe and secure strategic deterrence just like the other two missile wings at FE Warren AFB, Wyo., and Minot AFB, N.D.

Decorations

* Distinguished Unit Citation: Ploesti, Romania, 1 Aug 1943.
* Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jul 1975–30 Jun 1976; 1 Jul 1976–30 Jun 1977; 1 Jul 1978–30 Jun 1980; 1 Jul 1980–30 Jun 1981; 1 Jul 1989–30 Jun 1991; 1 Sep 1991-31 Aug 1993.
* 341st Operations Group Squadron of the Year 2005

Emblem description

Azure, between flaunches Or bearing fleures-de-lis of the first a "sky sword" Yellow charged on the grip with a spring of laurel Blue; all within a diminished bordure Celeste. Approved 15 Sep 1967 (K 11275), modified on 28 Feb 1995; replaced emblem approved on 9 Jul 1959 (10416 A.C.).

External links

* [http://www.deucedomain.com Deuce Booster Club Webpage]
* [http://www.malmstrom.af.mil Malmstrom AFB Webpage]