321 smw

The 321st Strategic Missile Wing (321 SMW) was activated in November 1964 at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, as part of the United States Air Force’s expansion of its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capabilities during the Cold War. Equipped with the Minuteman II and later Minuteman III missiles, the 321 SMW maintained a crucial deterrent posture, providing a rapid-response nuclear strike option. The wing played a vital role in America’s strategic defense until the end of the Cold War, ensuring constant readiness and participating in numerous training and evaluation exercises. Following arms reduction agreements and changing strategic priorities, the 321st SMW was inactivated in 1998, marking the end of ICBM operations at Grand Forks AFB.