12th Missile Squadron

US Air Force unit May 2025 October 2019 May 2025 12th Missile Squadron 60px|center LGM-30G Minuteman III test launch.jpg 250 LGM-30G Minuteman III test launch at Vandenberg AFB, California 1940–1944 1947–1949 1955–1961 1961–present USA Squadron Intercontinental ballistic missile Air Force Global Strike Command Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana World War II (Antisubmarine Campaign) Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 165px 12th Strategic Missile Squadron emblem Description: On a disc of celeste (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 celeste, grasping a sword in pale, point to base, hilt and pommel Air Force golden yellow, blade white, shaded celeste, outlines and details dark gray, a red oval spot on the pommel, all between a red lightning flash edged white and a green olive branch, details Air Force golden yellow, pilewise. The date on which the emblem was reconfigured from a shield to a disc is not recorded. https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433952/12-missile-squadron/ Haulman Daniel L. Bohannon Shawn Factsheet 12 Missile Squadron 16 April 2018 Air Force Historical Research Agency 26 May 2018 150px Patch with 12th Bombardment Squadron emblemApproved 5 August 1957.Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 64–65 The 12th Missile Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 341st Operations Group, stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. The squadron is equipped with the LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, with a mission of nuclear deterrence. Mission The mission of the 341st Missile Wing is to provide combat-ready people and aerospace forces. http://www.malmstrom.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4671 Malmstrom AFB Library: Fact Sheet 341st Missile Wing 1 October 2015 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080108053854/http://www.malmstrom.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4671 8 January 2008 27 May 2018 History World War II thumb|left|B-18s of the 12th Bombardment Squadron flying over British Guiana The 12th Bombardment Squadron was organized and activated at Langley Field, Virginia on 1 February 1940, as a member of the 25th Bombardment Group.William Conaway http://www.planesandpilotsofww2.totalh.net/panama/12thbshistorytem.htm 12th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) VI Bomber Command in Defense of the Panama Canal 1941–45 The unit moved from Langley where it trained initially, to Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico, where it became part of Caribbean Air Force on 1 November 1940. Following the initial deployment to Puerto Rico. The squadron participated in various training and familiarization flights with its small complement of Douglas B-18 Bolo medium bombers, until 8 November 1941 when it was ordered to deploy to Benedict Field, St. Croix, temporarily until September 1942, then at St. Nicholas, and Antigua.Maurer, Combat Units, May 2018 Following the Pearl Harbor Attack, the squadron commenced operations out of Benedict with its tiny force of three B-18s. However, these were exchanged for four slightly more capable B-18As by 16 January 1942. By mid-February, these had been augmented by a further B-18 (while one of the B-18As was away at the Mobile Air Depot being fitted with one of the earliest airborne radar systems) and the squadron had a total of four crews, three of whom had more than 12 months experience. Operations continued out of Benedict Field until 10 October 1942, when it moved to Dakota Field, Aruba, and the following month came under the operational control of the Antilles Air Task Force and VI Fighter Command. By 11 December, the unit had six B-18Bs and four Douglas A-20A Havocs while Flight D of the squadron was at distant Borinquen Field with two further B-18Bs and a B-18. Apparently this aircraft dispersal proved too much for the unit to handle and, by January 1943, strength on report had dropped to a more reasonable total of just five B-18Bs and a single B-18C at Dakota Field, although Flight D remained at Borinquen as late as June, and Flight C moved from Dakota to Rio Hato Field, Panama, from 1 June till 20 July 1943. In addition, several 59th Bombardment Squadron aircraft were attached to the 12th at this point, as were two Bell P-39D Airacobras of the 22d Pursuit Squadron. All of this shuffling of aircraft was due, of course, to the exigencies of the antisubmarine campaign, which had been re-initiated in early January 1943. By October 1943, operational control of the now very experienced unit had passed to Commander, All Forces, Aruba and Curaçao (CAFAC), and the United States Navy assumed command and the unit, together with the Lockheed PV-1 Venturas of a Navy unit there provided continuous coverage for, amongst others, convoy GAT94 and its route from the time it entered the area. As the anti-submarine war continuously shifted, the squadron moved to follow, leaving Dakota Field on 23 November to move to Coolidge Field on Antigua, at which time its attachment to CAFAC ended. While there, it provided continuous coverage for Convoy TAG95. By the end of December, the unit had started to reequip, and had two of the B-18Bs, but also three North American B-25D Mitchells and not fewer than 12 B-25Gs at Coolidge. As the antisubmarine campaign eased, the unit became, essentially, a crew training outfit, although patrols were still flown in conjunction with this tasking. The Squadron ended its Caribbean tour on 24 March 1944 when it was transferred back to the United States and became a B-25 Mitchell Operational Training Unit at Alamogordo Army Air Field, New Mexico. On 20 June 1944, the 12th Bombardment Squadron was disbanded. Reserve operations The squadron was reactivated in July 1947 as a reserve unit at Westover Field (later Westover Air Force Base), Massachusetts, where it was assigned to the 341st Bombardment Group. In October, the squadron moved to Bradley Field, Connecticut. It was not equipped with operational aircraft, but flew North American AT-6 Texan and Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan trainer aircraft.341st Missile Wing History, p. 3 Its training was supervised by the 108th AAF Base Unit (later 108th AF Base Unit, 2227th Air Force Reserve Training Center) of Air Defense Command (ADC).Mueller, p. 580 In 1948 Continental Air Command assumed responsibility for managing reserve and Air National Guard units from ADC. http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/896/983.xml Abstract, Mission Project Closeup, Continental Air Command 27 December 1961 Air Force History Index March 24, 2014 President Truman’s reduced 1949 defense budget required reductions in the number of units in the Air Force,Knaack, p. 25 and the 12th was inactivated in June 1949. Strategic Air Command bomber operations thumb|SAC B-47 Stratojets The squadron was activated at Abilene Air Force Base, Texas on 1 September 1955, as the Air Force reopened it as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) base for Boeing B-47 Stratojet bombers.Mueller, p.120 The squadron trained in strategic bombardment operations with the B-47 and participated in SAC exercises and operations. https://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/456/078.xml No byline Abstract, 341 Bombardment Wing History, Jan 1957 Air Force History Index May 15, 2025 From January through April 1958, the squadron deployed with the 341st Bombardment Wing to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.Ravenstein, pp.180-181 Shortly thereafter, its planes went through Project Milk Bottle to strengthen their wings for low level operations. https://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/456/099.xml No byline Abstract, 341 Bombardment Wing History, Oct 1958 Air Force History Index May 15, 2025 The squadron also participated in Operation Reflex alert operations. Reflex placed Stratojets and Boeing KC-97s at bases closer to the Soviet Union for 90 day periods, although individuals rotated back to home bases during unit Reflex deployments.Narducci, p. 2 Starting in 1958, SAC's B-47 wings of began to assume an alert posture at their home bases, reducing the amount of time spent on alert at overseas bases. General Thomas S. Power’s initial goal was to maintain one third of SAC's planes on fifteen minute ground alert, fully fueled and ready for combat to reduce vulnerability to a Soviet missile strike.Schake, p. 220 (note 43) Its last Reflex deployment ended on 15 July 1959. https://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/456/107.xml No byline Abstract, 341 Bombardment Wing History, Jul-Aug 1959 Air Force History Index May 15, 2025However, a later wing history indicated that the 341st Wing continued to deploy some B-47s to the United Kingdom as late as April 1960. https://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/456/121.xml No byline Abstract, 341 Bombardment Wing Maintenance Analysis Report 1 April 1960 Air Force History Index May 15, 2025 In April 1961, the squadron began drawing down in preparation for inactivation and was inactivated on 25 June 1961, transferring its aircraft to other SAC wings. https://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/456/124.xml No byline Abstract, 341 Bombardment Wing Inactivation Progress Report 30 April 1961 Air Force History Index May 15, 2025 Intercontinental ballistic missile squadron Organized on 1 March 1962 as the 12th Strategic Missile Squadron, an intercontinental ballistic missile squadron assigned to the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. Initially equipped with 50 LGM-30A Minuteman Is in early 1962. "Upon organization, it became the second Minuteman ICBM squadron in the Air Force. During the mid-1960s the 12th replaced its 50 Minuteman I missiles with Minuteman IIs. The 12th was the first squadron at Malmstrom to undergo weapon system upgrade to Minuteman ModMay 2018; and on [22 April] 1967, it was the first squadron to become fully operational with the new Minuteman II missiles under this program. The 12th was also the first squadron in the wing to undergo silo upgrade. By 1978, the Improved Launch Control System had replaced the Minuteman Mod system and the 12th SMS once again had the state-of-the-art weapon system." https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/agency/12ms.htm No byline Weapons of Mass Destruction: 12th Missile Squadron (12 MS) 24 July 2011 global security.org 27 May 2018 "In 1994, the 12 reorganized under the objective squadron concept. This reorganization took the three combat disciplines, ICBM operations, security police, and electromechanical maintenance, and combined them under the "one hat" of the missile squadron commander. In early June 1995, electromechanical Maintenance returned to the 341st Logistics Group." The 12th Missile Squadron led the way in removing Minuteman II missiles and replacing them with LGM-30G Minuteman III silos from the inactivating 321st Missile Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota in 1996; Minuteman IIs being retired. The new missile enhances capability, increases flexibility, and marks yet another system upgrade. thumb|400px|LGM-30 Minuteman Missile Alert and Launch Facilities Missile Alert Facilities (F-J flights, each controlling 10 missiles) are located as follows:Malmstrom AFB Minuteman Missile Site Coordinates https://web.archive.org/web/20110717203324/http://asuwlink.uwyo.edu/~jimkirk/malmstrom.html 17 July 2011 F-01 8.6 mi NxNE of Augusta MT, 47 36 17 N 112 18 38 W inline F-01 G-01 13.8 mi SW of Simms MT, 47 19 32 N 112 05 39 W inline G-01 H-01 5.9 mi NxNE of Fairfield MT,47 41 48 N 111 56 33 W inline H-01 I-01 11.0 mi ExNE of Cascade MT, 47 18 45 N 111 28 25 W inline I-01 J-01 7.0 mi ExNE of Power MT, 47 45 06 N 111 32 46 W inline J-01 Lineage Constituted as the 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 (not organized) Organized on 1 March 1962 Redesignated 12th Missile Squadron on 1 September 1991 Assignments 25th Bombardment Group, 1 February 1940 – 20 June 1944 (under operational control of Antilles Air Task Force and VI Fighter Command, 1 November 1942 – 20 June 1944)William Conaway http://www.planesandpilotsofww2.totalh.net/panama/vibchistorytem.htm VI Bombardment Command History Planes and Pilots of World War Two 341st Bombardment Group, 24 July 1947 – 27 June 1949 341st Bombardment Wing, 1 September 1955 – 25 June 1961 Strategic Air Command, 22 September 1961 (not organized) 341st Strategic Missile Wing, 1 March 1962 341st Operations Group, 1 September 1991 – presentAssignment information in Haulman & Bohannon (except as noted) Stations Langley Field, Virginia, 1 February – 26 October 1940 Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico, 1 November 1940 Benedict Field, St Croix, c. 8 November 1941 Dakota Field, Aruba, c. 10 October 1942 Detachment operated from Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico, c. November 1942 – 23 November 1943 Coolidge Field, Antigua, 23 November 1943 – 24 March 1944 Alamogordo Army Air Field, New Mexico, 6 April – 20 June 1944 Westover Field (later Westover Air Force Base), Massachusetts, 24 July 1947 Bradley Field, Connecticut, 24 October 1947 – 27 June 1949 Abilene Air Force Base (later Dyess Air Force Base), Texas, 1 September 1955 – 25 June 1961 Deployed at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, 9 January – c. 4 April 1958 Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, 1 March 1962 – present Aircraft and missiles Douglas B-18 Bolo, 1940–1944 North American B-25 Mitchell, 1943–1944 North American AT-6 Texan, 1947–1949 Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan, 1947–1949 Boeing B-47 Stratojet, 1956–1961 LGM-30A/B Minuteman I, 1962–1968 LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1968–1991 LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1996 – present Awards and campaigns AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 22 October 1962 – 31 December 1963 12th Strategic Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1975 – 30 June 1976 12th Strategic Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1976 – 30 June 1977 12th Strategic Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1979 – 30 June 1981 12th Strategic Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1988 – 30 June 1990 12th Strategic Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1990 – 30 June 1991 12th Strategic Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 September 1991 – 31 August 1993 12th Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 September 1993 – 31 August 1994 12th Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 September 1994 – 31 August 1995 12th Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 1995 – 30 September 1996 12th Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 1997 – 30 September 1999 12th Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 1998 – 30 September 1999 12th Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 2000 – 30 September 2002 12th Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 2002 – 1 October 2003 12th Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 January 2003 – 31 December 2003 12th Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 2004 – 30 September 2006 12th Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 2006 – 30 September 2008 12th Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 2008 – 30 September 2009 12th Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 2010 – 31 December 2011 12th Missile Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 January 2015 – 31 December 2015 12th Missile Squadron Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes200pxAntisubmarine7 December 1941 – 1 August 194312th Bombardment Squadron See also List of United States Air Force missile squadrons References Notes Explanatory notes Citations 30em Bibliography Knaack Marcelle Size Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems https://media.defense.gov/2010/May/26/2001330264/-1/-1/0/AFD-100526-026.pdf December 17, 2016 2: Post-World War II Bombers 1945-1973 1978 Office of Air Force History Washington, DC 0-912799-59-5 Maurer, Maurer Air Force Combat Units of World War II 1961 http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20161220180735/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf dead 20 December 2016 17 December 2016 reprint 1983 Office of Air Force History Washington, DC 0-912799-02-1 61060979 Maurer, Maurer Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II 1969 http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20161220180455/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf dead 20 December 2016 reprint 17 December 2016 1982 Office of Air Force History Washington, DC 0-405-12194-6 72556 70605402 Narducci Henry M. Strategic Air Command and the Alert Program: A Brief History https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.31210023608670;view=1up;seq=3 February 18, 2018 1988 Office of the Historian, Strategic Air Command Offutt AFB, NE Ravenstein Charles A. Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977 https://archive.org/details/airforcecombatwi0000rave 17 December 2016 1984 Office of Air Force History Washington, DC 0-912799-12-9 registration Schake Col Kurt W. Strategic Frontier: American Bomber Bases Overseas, 1950-1960 http://www.theblackvault.com/documents/ADA353633.pdf July 27, 2015 1998 Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim, Norway 978-8277650241 https://minutemanmissile.com/documents/341stMissileWingHistoryPamphlet.pdf No byline History of the 341st Missile Wing 341st Missile Wing Office of History May 19, 2025 External links William Conaway http://www.planesandpilotsofww2.totalh.net/panama/25thbgphistorytem.htm 25th Bombardment Group (Medium) VI Bomber Command in Defense of the Panama Canal 1941 - 45 William Conaway http://www.planesandpilotsofww2.totalh.net/panama/panama.htm VI Bomber Command In Defense Of The Panama Canal 1941 – 45 Planes and Pilots of World War Two https://b-47.com/ B-47 Stratojet Historical Website B-47 Association 14 May 2026 012 Category:Military units and formations in Montana