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446th Missile Squadron

January 01, 1970

The 446th Missile Squadron (446 MS) is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 321st Missile Group, stationed at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota

446th Missile Squadron
LGM-30G Minuteman III test launch at Vandenberg AFB, California
Active1942-1961; 1965-1998
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
TypeSquadron
RoleIntercontinental ballistic missile
Garrison/HQGrand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota.
Engagements
World War II (EAME Theater)
Decorations
Distinguished Unit Citation (2x)

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
446th Missile Squadron emblem[1][note 1]
446th Bombardment Squadron emblem (SAC) (approved 4 May 1956)[2]
446th Bombardment Squadron emblem (World War II)[3][note 2]

The 446 MS was equipped with the LGM-30G Minuteman III Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), with a mission of nuclear deterrence. With the end of the Cold War, the 446th was inactivated on 30 September 1998.

History edit

World War II edit

 
B-25J of the 446th Bombardment Squadron taking off from Pomigliano

Activated in mid-1942 as a B-25 Mitchell medium bomber squadron, it was trained by the Third Air Force in the southeastern United States. It deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO), and was assigned to the Twelfth Air Force in Algeria in early 1943. In North Africa, the squadron was engaged primarily in support and interdictory operations, bombing marshalling yards, rail lines, highways, bridges, viaducts, troop concentrations, gun emplacements, shipping, harbors and other objectives.

The squadron also engaged in psychological warfare missions, dropping propaganda leaflets behind enemy lines. It took part in the Allied operations against Axis forces in North Africa during March–May 1943, the reduction of Pantelleria and Lampedusain islands during June.

It was also involved in the invasion of Sicily in July, the landing at Salerno on the Italian mainland in September, the Allied advance toward Rome during January–June 1944, the invasion of Southern France in August 1944 and the Allied operations in northern Italy from September 1944 to April 1945. It was inactivated in Italy after the German capitulation in September 1945.

It was reactivated as part of the Air Force Reserve in 1947 and equipped with A-26/B-26 Invader medium bombers, the unit was then inactivated in 1949 due to budget cuts.

Strategic Air Command edit

The squadron was reactivated in 1953 as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) B-47 Stratojet squadron. It trained in aerial refueling and strategic bombardment operations with the B-47. The squadron began transferring its B-47s to other SAC wings and became non-operational as part of that aircraft's phaseout in 1961.

Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Squadron edit

On 1 November 1963 the 446th Strategic Missile Squadron was organized as a SAC LGM-30F Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile wing. Activated on 1 Jul 1965, it was made operational on 7 December 1966, with a complement of 50 missiles. It participated in "Project Long Life II," a unique reliability test in which modified Minuteman missiles were fueled to travel a few hundred yards. The first launch from a silo occurred on 19 October 1966 and was declared unsuccessful. Nine days later, a second attempt also failed. A third attempt under "Project Giant Boost" occurred in August 1968 and again proved unsuccessful.

From December 1971 to March 1973, the squadron converted to the LGM-30G Minuteman III. These missiles represented a significant technological advancement, having multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs). Coordinating the missile changeover required complex planning and execution.

With the restructuring of the Air Force and the disestablishment of Strategic Air Command in the early 1990s, it was reassigned to Air Combat Command (ACC) in 1992 and then came under Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) in 1993.

In March 1995, the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission selected the 321st Strategic Missile Wing for inactivation. The squadron was ordered to securely transfer its alert responsibilities to the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. It maintained nuclear alert until inactivated in 1998, nearly 40 years after it first went on alert.

Lineage edit

  • Constituted as the 446th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 19 June 1942
Activated on 26 June 1942
  • Redesignated 446th Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 6 March 1944
Inactivated on 12 September 1945
  • Redesignated 446th Bombardment Squadron, Light on 26 May 1947
Activated in the reserve on 29 June 1947
Inactivated on 27 June 1949
  • Redesignated 446th Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 25 November 1953
Activated on 15 Dec ember1953
Discontinued and inactivated on 25 October 1961
  • Redesignated 446th Strategic Missile Squadron on 1 November 1963 and activated (not organized)
Organized on 1 July 1965
Redesignated 446th Missile Squadron on 1 September 1991
Inactivated on 30 September 1998

Assignments edit

  • 321st Bombardment Group, 26 June 1942 – 12 September 1945
  • 321st Bombardment Group, 29 June 1947 – 27 June 1949
  • 321st Bombardment Wing, 15 December 1953 – 25 October 1961
  • Strategic Air Command, 1 November 1963 (not organized)
  • 321st Strategic Missile Wing (later 321st Missile Wing), 1 July 1965
  • 321st Missile Group, 1 July 1994 – 30 September 1998

Stations edit

Aircraft and Missiles edit

 
LGM-30 Minuteman Missile Alert and Launch Facilities

446th Missile Squadron Launch Facilities

Missile Alert Facilities (A-E flights, each controlling 10 missiles) are located as follows:
A-00 6.7 mi SE of Wales ND, 48°49′17″N 098°30′48″W / 48.82139°N 98.51333°W / 48.82139; -98.51333 (A-00)
B-00 6.8 mi NxNW of Osnabrock ND, 48°45′49″N 098°11′36″W / 48.76361°N 98.19333°W / 48.76361; -98.19333 (B-00)
C-00 5.7 mi NW of Edinburg ND, 48°32′43″N 097°57′50″W / 48.54528°N 97.96389°W / 48.54528; -97.96389 (C-00)
D-00 1.7 mi SxSW of Nekoma ND, 48°33′14″N 098°22′50″W / 48.55389°N 98.38056°W / 48.55389; -98.38056 (D-00)
E-00 4.3 mi SxSW of Hampden ND, 48°29′01″N 098°41′46″W / 48.48361°N 98.69611°W / 48.48361; -98.69611 (E-00)

See also edit

Map all coordinates using OpenStreetMap

Download coordinates as:

47°57′40″N 097°24′04″W / 47.96111°N 97.40111°W / 47.96111; -97.40111 (Grand Forks AFB)

References edit

Notes edit

Explanatory Notes

  1. ^ The 1956 emblem was placed on a disc to comply with USAF standards for squadron emblems. USAF Fact Sheet.
  2. ^ Apparently, this emblem never received official approval, although it was used by the squadron. Watkins, p. 86

Footnotes

  1. ^ . Air Force Historical Research Agency. n.d. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  2. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 551-552
  3. ^ Watkins, pp. 86-87

Bibliography edit

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

  • 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.
  • Watkins, Robert A. (2009). Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the U.S. Army Air Force In World War II. Vol. IV, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations. Atglen, PA: Shiffer Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-3401-6.

External links edit

January 01, 1970
446th, missile, squadron, inactive, united, states, force, unit, last, assigned, 321st, missile, group, stationed, grand, forks, north, dakotalgm, minuteman, test, launch, vandenberg, californiaactive1942, 1961, 1965, 1998country, united, statesbranch, united,. The 446th Missile Squadron 446 MS is an inactive United States Air Force unit It was last assigned to the 321st Missile Group stationed at Grand Forks AFB North Dakota446th Missile SquadronLGM 30G Minuteman III test launch at Vandenberg AFB CaliforniaActive1942 1961 1965 1998Country United StatesBranch United States Air ForceTypeSquadronRoleIntercontinental ballistic missileGarrison HQGrand Forks Air Force Base North Dakota EngagementsWorld War II EAME Theater DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation 2x Air Force Outstanding Unit AwardInsignia446th Missile Squadron emblem 1 note 1 446th Bombardment Squadron emblem SAC approved 4 May 1956 2 446th Bombardment Squadron emblem World War II 3 note 2 The 446 MS was equipped with the LGM 30G Minuteman III Intercontinental ballistic missile ICBM with a mission of nuclear deterrence With the end of the Cold War the 446th was inactivated on 30 September 1998 Contents 1 History 1 1 World War II 1 2 Strategic Air Command 1 3 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Squadron 2 Lineage 2 1 Assignments 2 2 Stations 2 3 Aircraft and Missiles 3 See also 4 References 4 1 Notes 4 2 Bibliography 5 External linksHistory editWorld War II edit nbsp B 25J of the 446th Bombardment Squadron taking off from Pomigliano Activated in mid 1942 as a B 25 Mitchell medium bomber squadron it was trained by the Third Air Force in the southeastern United States It deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations MTO and was assigned to the Twelfth Air Force in Algeria in early 1943 In North Africa the squadron was engaged primarily in support and interdictory operations bombing marshalling yards rail lines highways bridges viaducts troop concentrations gun emplacements shipping harbors and other objectives The squadron also engaged in psychological warfare missions dropping propaganda leaflets behind enemy lines It took part in the Allied operations against Axis forces in North Africa during March May 1943 the reduction of Pantelleria and Lampedusain islands during June It was also involved in the invasion of Sicily in July the landing at Salerno on the Italian mainland in September the Allied advance toward Rome during January June 1944 the invasion of Southern France in August 1944 and the Allied operations in northern Italy from September 1944 to April 1945 It was inactivated in Italy after the German capitulation in September 1945 It was reactivated as part of the Air Force Reserve in 1947 and equipped with A 26 B 26 Invader medium bombers the unit was then inactivated in 1949 due to budget cuts Strategic Air Command edit The squadron was reactivated in 1953 as a Strategic Air Command SAC B 47 Stratojet squadron It trained in aerial refueling and strategic bombardment operations with the B 47 The squadron began transferring its B 47s to other SAC wings and became non operational as part of that aircraft s phaseout in 1961 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Squadron edit On 1 November 1963 the 446th Strategic Missile Squadron was organized as a SAC LGM 30F Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile wing Activated on 1 Jul 1965 it was made operational on 7 December 1966 with a complement of 50 missiles It participated in Project Long Life II a unique reliability test in which modified Minuteman missiles were fueled to travel a few hundred yards The first launch from a silo occurred on 19 October 1966 and was declared unsuccessful Nine days later a second attempt also failed A third attempt under Project Giant Boost occurred in August 1968 and again proved unsuccessful From December 1971 to March 1973 the squadron converted to the LGM 30G Minuteman III These missiles represented a significant technological advancement having multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles MIRVs Coordinating the missile changeover required complex planning and execution With the restructuring of the Air Force and the disestablishment of Strategic Air Command in the early 1990s it was reassigned to Air Combat Command ACC in 1992 and then came under Air Force Space Command AFSPC in 1993 In March 1995 the Base Realignment and Closure BRAC Commission selected the 321st Strategic Missile Wing for inactivation The squadron was ordered to securely transfer its alert responsibilities to the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base Montana It maintained nuclear alert until inactivated in 1998 nearly 40 years after it first went on alert Lineage editConstituted as the 446th Bombardment Squadron Medium on 19 June 1942 Activated on 26 June 1942 Redesignated 446th Bombardment Squadron Medium on 6 March 1944 Inactivated on 12 September 1945 Redesignated 446th Bombardment Squadron Light on 26 May 1947 Activated in the reserve on 29 June 1947 Inactivated on 27 June 1949 Redesignated 446th Bombardment Squadron Medium on 25 November 1953 Activated on 15 Dec ember1953 Discontinued and inactivated on 25 October 1961 Redesignated 446th Strategic Missile Squadron on 1 November 1963 and activated not organized Organized on 1 July 1965 Redesignated 446th Missile Squadron on 1 September 1991 Inactivated on 30 September 1998 Assignments edit 321st Bombardment Group 26 June 1942 12 September 1945 321st Bombardment Group 29 June 1947 27 June 1949 321st Bombardment Wing 15 December 1953 25 October 1961 Strategic Air Command 1 November 1963 not organized 321st Strategic Missile Wing later 321st Missile Wing 1 July 1965 321st Missile Group 1 July 1994 30 September 1998 Stations edit Barksdale Field Louisiana 26 June 1942 Columbia Army Air Base South Carolina c 1 August 1942 Walterboro Army Air Field South Carolina September 1942 DeRidder Army Air Base Louisiana c 1 December 1942 21 January 1943 Ain M lila Airfield Algeria 12 March 1943 Souk el Arba Airfield Tunisia c 1 June 1943 Soliman Airfield Tunisia 8 August 1943 Grottaglie Airfield Italy October 1943 Amendola Airfield Italy c 20 November 1943 Vincenzo Airfield Italy 14 January 1944 Gaudo Airfield Italy February 1944 Corsica 23 April 1944 Falconara Airfield Italy 1 April 1945 Pomigliano Airfield Italy c September 12 September 1945 Johnstown Regional Airport Pennsylvania 29 June 1947 27 June 1949 Pinecastle Air Force Base later McCoy Air Force Base Florida 15 Dec 1953 25 Oct 1961 Grand Forks Air Force Base North Dakota 1 Jul 1965 30 Sep 1998 Aircraft and Missiles edit nbsp LGM 30 Minuteman Missile Alert and Launch Facilities North American B 25 Mitchell 1942 1945 Boeing B 47E Stratojet 1953 1961 LGM 30F Minuteman II 1965 1973 LGM 30G Minuteman III 1972 1998 446th Missile Squadron Launch Facilities Missile Alert Facilities A E flights each controlling 10 missiles are located as follows A 00 6 7 mi SE of Wales ND 48 49 17 N 098 30 48 W 48 82139 N 98 51333 W 48 82139 98 51333 A 00 B 00 6 8 mi NxNW of Osnabrock ND 48 45 49 N 098 11 36 W 48 76361 N 98 19333 W 48 76361 98 19333 B 00 C 00 5 7 mi NW of Edinburg ND 48 32 43 N 097 57 50 W 48 54528 N 97 96389 W 48 54528 97 96389 C 00 D 00 1 7 mi SxSW of Nekoma ND 48 33 14 N 098 22 50 W 48 55389 N 98 38056 W 48 55389 98 38056 D 00 E 00 4 3 mi SxSW of Hampden ND 48 29 01 N 098 41 46 W 48 48361 N 98 69611 W 48 48361 98 69611 E 00 dd See also editMap all coordinates using OpenStreetMap Download coordinates as KML GPX all coordinates GPX primary coordinates GPX secondary coordinates 47 57 40 N 097 24 04 W 47 96111 N 97 40111 W 47 96111 97 40111 Grand Forks AFB List of United States Air Force missile squadronsReferences editNotes edit Explanatory Notes The 1956 emblem was placed on a disc to comply with USAF standards for squadron emblems USAF Fact Sheet Apparently this emblem never received official approval although it was used by the squadron Watkins p 86 Footnotes U S Air Force Fact Sheet 446 Missile Squadron Air Force Historical Research Agency n d Archived from the original on 26 August 2014 Retrieved 22 August 2014 Maurer Combat Squadrons pp 551 552 Watkins pp 86 87 Bibliography edit nbsp This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency 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 Watkins Robert A 2009 Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the U S Army Air Force In World War II Vol IV European African Middle Eastern Theater of Operations Atglen PA Shiffer Publishing Ltd ISBN 978 0 7643 3401 6 Grand Forks AFB Minuteman Missile Site CoordinatesExternal links edit Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 446th Missile Squadron amp oldid 1205711540, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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