487th Tactical Missile Wing Comiso AS

• Cold War Origins: The 487th Tactical Missile Wing was activated in 1983 at Comiso Air Station in Sicily, Italy, as part of NATO’s response to the Soviet deployment of SS-20 intermediate-range missiles. • Ground Launched Cruise Missiles (GLCM): The unit operated BGM-109G Gryphon Ground Launched Cruise Missiles, a nuclear-capable system designed to enhance NATO deterrence. • Largest GLCM Base: Comiso Air Station became the largest GLCM base in Europe, housing up to 112 missiles and over 1,800 U.S. personnel at its peak. • Construction Challenges: The site was built on a former World War II airfield. Construction faced delays due to local protests and archaeological discoveries, including ancient tombs and Roman artifacts. • Local Opposition: The base was a focal point for anti-nuclear protests in the 1980s, drawing thousands of demonstrators from Italy and across Europe. • First GLCM Arrival: The first GLCMs arrived in August 1983, making Comiso the first operational NATO GLCM deployment site in southern Europe. • INF Treaty Impact: The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty signed in 1987 led to the deactivation of the 487th TMW and removal of all GLCMs from Comiso by 1991. • Unique Insignia: The 487th’s unit patch depicted a missile and the outline of Sicily, symbolizing its mission and location. • Humanitarian Role: After deactivation, Comiso Air Station was used to house Kosovar refugees during the 1999 Kosovo crisis. • Legacy in Local Memory: The presence of the U.S. Air Force left a mixed legacy in Sicily, with some locals recalling economic benefits, while others remember the base as a symbol of Cold War tension.