About this Unit
The 22nd Combat Defense Squadron was an Air Force unit responsible for providing security and ground defense for air base operations. Activated in the early Cold War era, the squadron was typically assigned to protect strategic bomber and missile installations against potential enemy incursions. Its members specialized in base defense tactics, weapons proficiency, and rapid response to security threats, often training alongside other Air Force Security Police units. The squadron played a key role in ensuring the operational readiness and security of U.S. Air Force assets during periods of heightened tension, before being inactivated or redesignated as the Air Force evolved its security forces structure.
Historical Facts
• Origins at Malmstrom AFB: The 22nd Combat Defense Squadron was originally activated at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, in the early 1960s, tasked with protecting the installation and its strategic missile assets.
• ICBM Security Mission: The squadron played a pivotal role in securing the Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) sites during the height of the Cold War, ensuring the safety and readiness of America’s nuclear deterrent.
• Cold War Tensions: Members of the 22nd CDS frequently trained for rapid response to potential Soviet sabotage or attack on missile silos, operating under high-alert conditions throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
• Squadron Motto: The unit's unofficial motto, “Defenders of the Frontier,” reflected both their role in safeguarding the northern U.S. border and their cutting-edge responsibilities in missile security.
• Innovative Defense Tactics: The 22nd CDS was among the first to implement integrated K-9 patrols and electronic sensors at missile fields, setting standards later adopted across the Strategic Air Command.
• Unit Insignia: The squadron’s patch featured a fierce falcon clutching lightning bolts, symbolizing vigilance and rapid response capabilities.
• Vietnam Era Deployments: While primarily home-based, some members volunteered for temporary duty in Vietnam, bringing their expertise in base defense to Southeast Asia.
• Transition to Security Police: In 1977, the Air Force reorganized its defense squadrons into Security Police units, and the 22nd CDS became the 22nd Security Police Squadron, continuing its protection mission under a new designation.
• Legacy of Service: The traditions of the 22nd CDS live on in the 341st Security Forces Squadron at Malmstrom AFB, with current defenders tracing their heritage to the original unit.
• Commemoration and Reunions: Former members of the 22nd CDS regularly hold reunions and have established a heritage foundation to preserve the history and valor of the squadron for future generations.
