About this Unit
The 587th Tactical Missile Group was a United States Air Force unit activated during the Cold War era. Established in 1956, the group was stationed in West Germany as part of the U.S. commitment to NATO’s defense posture in Europe. Its primary mission was the deployment and operation of the TM-61 Matador and later TM-76 Mace surface-to-surface tactical missiles, providing a nuclear-capable deterrent against potential Warsaw Pact aggression. The unit was inactivated in 1966 as missile technology advanced and newer systems replaced the Matador and Mace missiles.
Historical Facts
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Cold War Origins: The 587th Tactical Missile Group was originally activated in the early years of the Cold War, reflecting the United States’ shift toward missile-based deterrence strategies in Europe.
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Matador Missiles: The unit operated the Martin TM-61 Matador, one of the first operational surface-to-surface cruise missiles in the U.S. arsenal, capable of delivering nuclear warheads.
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Germany Deployment: The 587th was based in Sembach Air Base, West Germany, serving as a forward-deployed missile force within NATO to counter potential Soviet aggression.
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First Tactical Missile Group: The 587th was among the earliest U.S. Air Force units specially organized for missile operations, representing a new era in American military doctrine.
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Constant Readiness: The group maintained a high alert posture, with crews trained to launch missiles on short notice as part of NATO’s quick-reaction force.
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Transition to Mace Missiles: The unit later upgraded to the TM-76 Mace missile, an improved and more accurate successor to the Matador, extending their operational capabilities.
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Dispersed Launch Sites: For survivability, the 587th operated its missile batteries from multiple hidden and fortified sites in the Rhineland-Palatinate area, complicating enemy targeting.
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Deactivation: The 587th Tactical Missile Group was inactivated in the mid-1960s as part of broader changes in U.S. and NATO missile deployment strategies and the introduction of more advanced weapons.
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Symbolic Heraldry: The group’s emblem featured imagery representing both its missile mission and its connection to the U.S. Air Force’s strategic deterrence goal.
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Legacy and Veterans: Veterans of the 587th continue to share stories about the unique challenges of operating nuclear-capable missiles in Cold War Europe, contributing to the unit’s enduring legacy in Air Force history.
