435th SPS

• Origins: The 435th Security Police Squadron (SPS) was originally constituted as the 435th Base Complement Squadron in 1947, later reorganized as part of the U.S. Air Force Security Police structure. • Location: The 435th SPS was most notably stationed at Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany, serving as a key security force during the Cold War era. • Cold War Role: The squadron played a vital role in safeguarding the strategic Rhein-Main Air Base, which was known as the “Gateway to Europe” for the U.S. Air Force. • Operation Desert Storm: Members of the 435th SPS deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990-1991, providing critical air base defense. • Berlin Airlift Support: During the Berlin Airlift (1948-1949), Rhein-Main Air Base and its security personnel, including predecessors of the 435th, protected airlift operations that delivered supplies to blockaded West Berlin. • Hostage Incident: In 1985, the squadron responded to the hijacking of TWA Flight 847, which landed at Rhein-Main; the 435th SPS played a role in securing the airfield and supporting crisis response. • Specialized Training: The unit was known for its advanced training in anti-terrorism, nuclear security, and quick reaction force tactics, reflecting the high-threat environment of Cold War Europe. • Distinguished Unit Awards: The 435th SPS earned multiple Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for its exemplary performance in both peacetime and contingency operations. • Humanitarian Response: The squadron supported numerous humanitarian and evacuation missions, including the processing of refugees during European crises. • Legacy: The 435th SPS was inactivated with the closure of Rhein-Main Air Base in 2005, but its legacy continues through successor security forces units within the U.S. Air Force.