579th Strategic Missile Squadron

The 579th Strategic Missile Squadron was originally activated during World War II as a bombardment unit, participating in combat operations in the European Theater. Reactivated during the Cold War, the squadron was assigned to the United States Air Force's Strategic Air Command and equipped with SM-65 Atlas intercontinental ballistic missiles. Stationed at Walker Air Force Base, New Mexico, the 579th played a critical role in America’s nuclear deterrence posture from 1961 to 1965. The squadron was inactivated following the phaseout of the Atlas missile system.