572nd SMS SAC

• Unit Designation: The 572nd Strategic Missile Squadron (SMS) was a unit of the United States Air Force under the Strategic Air Command (SAC). • World War II Origins: The squadron was originally activated during World War II as the 572nd Bombardment Squadron, flying B-26 Marauders in the European Theater. • Cold War Transition: Reactivated during the Cold War, the 572nd SMS became part of SAC’s missile force, transitioning from bombers to intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). • Missile System: The squadron operated the SM-65F Atlas ICBM, one of the earliest operational ICBMs deployed by the United States. • Location: The 572nd SMS was based at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, a key missile site during the height of the Cold War. • Cuban Missile Crisis Role: During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the squadron was placed on high alert, reflecting the tense global standoff between the US and the Soviet Union. • Atlas F Silo: The Atlas F missiles operated by the squadron were housed in “hardened” underground silos, offering improved survivability compared to earlier designs. • Short Active Period: The squadron’s missile operations were relatively brief, lasting from 1961 until the Atlas F was phased out in 1965. • Deactivation: The 572nd SMS was inactivated in 1965 as newer, more advanced missile systems like the Titan II and Minuteman entered service. • Legacy: The history of the 572nd SMS reflects the rapid technological and strategic changes of the early nuclear age, marking a significant chapter in both the evolution of SAC and US strategic deterrence.