About this Unit
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.
Historical Facts
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Origins in WWII: The 579th Strategic Missile Squadron was originally activated as the 579th Bombardment Squadron in January 1943, flying B-26 Marauder bombers in World War II.
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European Theater Operations: During WWII, the squadron participated in numerous combat missions across Europe, targeting bridges, airfields, and enemy positions to support Allied ground advances.
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Distinguished Unit Citation: The 579th Bombardment Squadron earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for its courageous bombing runs during the Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Bulge.
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Inactivation After WWII: The unit was inactivated in December 1945 after the end of the war, as part of the general demobilization of the U.S. military.
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Reactivation During the Cold War: The squadron was reactivated in 1961 as the 579th Strategic Missile Squadron, part of the Strategic Air Command, shifting its focus from bombers to intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
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Atlas F Missiles: The squadron was equipped with the SM-65F Atlas, one of the first American operational ICBMs, capable of delivering nuclear warheads across continents.
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Based at Walker Air Force Base: The 579th SMS was stationed at Walker AFB, near Roswell, New Mexico, a base with a significant history in military aviation and nuclear deterrence.
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Role in Strategic Deterrence: The squadron played a critical part in America’s nuclear deterrence strategy during the height of the Cold War, maintaining missiles on constant alert.
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Deactivation of Atlas Missiles: The Atlas F missiles operated by the squadron were phased out in the mid-1960s due to advances in missile technology and reliability concerns, leading to the squadron’s inactivation in March 1965.
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Legacy and Historical Recognition: Veterans and historians continue to remember the 579th for its dual legacy—its valor in World War II bombing campaigns and its crucial role in the early days of America's strategic missile forces.
