490th Missile Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 490th Missile Squadron (490 MS) is part of the 341st Missile Wing
based at Malmstrom Air Force Base
, Montana
. It operates Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile
s.
medium bomber squadron in mid-1942, trained by Third Air Force
in the southeastern United States. Deployed to India in December 1942, operating under Tenth Air Force
, supporting British ground forces in Burma during 1943. The squadron flew supplies from Chittagong
, India
to Imphal
, India between 20 May and 30 June 1944. Reassigned to Fourteenth Air Force
in China
, 1944, and dropped leaflets
for the United States Office of War Information
from, January-August 1945. Also supported Chinese ground forces until the end of the war.
Personnel demobilized in India, squadron returned to the United States and inactivated as a paper unit.
Was reactivated in 1955 as a Strategic Air Command
B-47 Stratojet
squadron . Trained in air refueling and strategic bombardment operations with the B-47. in 1961, the squadron began transferring its B-47s to other SAC wings and became non-operational.
Reactivated on 1 May 1962 as an ICBM squadron assigned to the 341st Missile Wing
at Malmstrom AFB, Montana
. Initially equipped with 50 LGM-30A Minuteman Is in early 1962, becoming SAC's third operational Minuteman ICBM squadron. Upgraded to the Minuteman IB in 1964; Minuteman IIF, in 1967. Received control of LGM-30G Minuteman III silos from inactivating 321st Strategic Missile Wing at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota
in 1996; Minuteman IIs being retired.
Has maintained ICBMs on alert ever since.
In 2010 The United States Air Force Global Strike Command started again with their famous competitions to bring back the glory days of the 1960s. The Global Strike Challenge was hosted at Barksdale Air Force on November 16th and 17th. The 490th Missile Squadron sent Captain Kevin Hullihan and 1Lt Brian J. Marlow to compete in this competition. The crew achieved the best score in Emergency war orders, resulting in earning the Neary Trophy.
In 2011 1Lt John Malek and 1Lt Matthew Ditson competed in the Global Srike Competition and won the McMahon Trophy for Best ICBM Weapon System score. In addition to the McMahon they also played a key role in earning the Klotz Trophy for Best ICBM Operations.
490th Missile Squadron Launch Facilities
341st Missile Wing
The United States Air Force's 341st Missile Wing is an intercontinental ballistic missile unit headquartered at Malmstrom AFB, Montana...
based at Malmstrom Air Force Base
Malmstrom Air Force Base
Malmstrom Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base and census-designated place in Cascade County, Montana, United States. It was named in honor of World War II POW Colonel Einar Axel Malmstrom...
, Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
. It operates Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile
Intercontinental ballistic missile
An intercontinental ballistic missile is a ballistic missile with a long range typically designed for nuclear weapons delivery...
s.
History
Established as a B-25 MitchellB-25 Mitchell
The North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades.The B-25 was named...
medium bomber squadron in mid-1942, trained by Third Air Force
Third Air Force
The Third Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany....
in the southeastern United States. Deployed to India in December 1942, operating under Tenth Air Force
Tenth Air Force
The Tenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Reserve Command . It is headquartered at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas....
, supporting British ground forces in Burma during 1943. The squadron flew supplies from Chittagong
Chittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
to Imphal
Imphal
Imphal is the capital of the Indian state of Manipur.In the heart of the town and surrounded by a moat, are ruins of the old Palace of Kangla. Kangla Fort used to be the home of the Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force and on November 2004 it was handed over to state of Manipur by Prime minister Dr....
, India between 20 May and 30 June 1944. Reassigned to Fourteenth Air Force
Fourteenth Air Force
The Fourteenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Space Command . It is headquartered at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California....
in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, 1944, and dropped leaflets
Airborne leaflet propaganda
Airborne leaflet propaganda is a form of psychological warfare in which leaflets are scattered in the air. Military forces have used aircraft to drop leaflets to alter the behavior of people in enemy-controlled territory, sometimes in conjunction with air strikes...
for the United States Office of War Information
United States Office of War Information
The United States Office of War Information was a U.S. government agency created during World War II to consolidate government information services. It operated from June 1942 until September 1945...
from, January-August 1945. Also supported Chinese ground forces until the end of the war.
Personnel demobilized in India, squadron returned to the United States and inactivated as a paper unit.
Was reactivated in 1955 as a Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
B-47 Stratojet
B-47 Stratojet
The Boeing Model 450 B-47 Stratojet was a long-range, six-engined, jet-powered medium bomber built to fly at high subsonic speeds and at high altitudes. It was primarily designed to drop nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union...
squadron . Trained in air refueling and strategic bombardment operations with the B-47. in 1961, the squadron began transferring its B-47s to other SAC wings and became non-operational.
Reactivated on 1 May 1962 as an ICBM squadron assigned to the 341st Missile Wing
341st Missile Wing
The United States Air Force's 341st Missile Wing is an intercontinental ballistic missile unit headquartered at Malmstrom AFB, Montana...
at Malmstrom AFB, Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
. Initially equipped with 50 LGM-30A Minuteman Is in early 1962, becoming SAC's third operational Minuteman ICBM squadron. Upgraded to the Minuteman IB in 1964; Minuteman IIF, in 1967. Received control of LGM-30G Minuteman III silos from inactivating 321st Strategic Missile Wing at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
in 1996; Minuteman IIs being retired.
Has maintained ICBMs on alert ever since.
In 2010 The United States Air Force Global Strike Command started again with their famous competitions to bring back the glory days of the 1960s. The Global Strike Challenge was hosted at Barksdale Air Force on November 16th and 17th. The 490th Missile Squadron sent Captain Kevin Hullihan and 1Lt Brian J. Marlow to compete in this competition. The crew achieved the best score in Emergency war orders, resulting in earning the Neary Trophy.
In 2011 1Lt John Malek and 1Lt Matthew Ditson competed in the Global Srike Competition and won the McMahon Trophy for Best ICBM Weapon System score. In addition to the McMahon they also played a key role in earning the Klotz Trophy for Best ICBM Operations.
Lineage
- Constituted 490th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 14 Aug 1942
- Activated on 15 Sep 1942
- Redesignated 490th Bombardment Squadron, Medium, on 1 Aug 1943
- Inactivated on 2 Nov 1945
- Redesignated 490th Bombardment Squadron, Light, on 11 Mar 1947
- Activated in the Reserve on 4 Apr 1947
- Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949
- Redesignated 490th Bombardment Squadron, Medium, on 7 Jun 1955
- Activated on 1 Sep 1955
- Discontinued, and inactivated, on 25 Jun 1961
- Redesignated 490th Strategic Missile Squadron (ICBM-Minuteman), and activated, on 18 Dec 1961
- Organized on 1 May 1962
- Redesignated 490th Missile Squadron on 1 Sep 1991.
Assignments
- 341st Bombardment Group, 15 Sep 1942
- Tenth Air ForceTenth Air ForceThe Tenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Reserve Command . It is headquartered at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas....
, 25 Oct 1943
- Attached to 341st Bombardment Group, 25 Oct 1943-c. 7 Jan 1944
- 341st Bombardment Group, 7 May-2 Nov 1945
- 312th Fighter Wing312th Fighter Wing (World War II)The 312th Fighter Wing was a United States Army Air Forces organization. It was a command and control organization of Fourteenth Air Force that fought in the China Burma India Theater of World War II.-Lineage:...
for operational control, 7 May-c. 25 Aug 1945- 341st Bombardment Group, 4 Apr 1947-27 Jun 1949
- 341st Bombardment Wing, 1 Sep 1955-25 Jun 1961
- Strategic Air CommandStrategic Air CommandThe Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
, 18 Dec 1961 - 341st Strategic Missile Wing, 1 May 1962
- 341st Operations Group341st Missile WingThe United States Air Force's 341st Missile Wing is an intercontinental ballistic missile unit headquartered at Malmstrom AFB, Montana...
, 1 Sep 1991-Present
Bases stationed
- Camp Malir, KarachiKarachiKarachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, 15 Sep 1942 - Moire Camp, Ondal, IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, 5 Jan 1943
- Operated from Chakulia Airfield, IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, 20-25 May 1943- Kurmitola Airfield, IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, 25 May 1943 - DergaonDergaonDergaon is a town and a town area committee in Golaghat district in the state of Assam, India.Hemchandra Baruah, the compiler of Hemkosh was from Dergaon.-Geography:...
, IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, 26 Aug 1944 - MoranMoran TownMoran Town is a census town in Dibrugarh district in the Indian state of Assam. Moran is an important industrial town in India. It is a major oil field and a major tea producing area.-Geography:Moran is located at . It has an average elevation of ....
, IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, 20 Oct 1944 - Warazup, Burma, 29 Nov 1944
- Kurmitola Airfield, India
- Hanchung Airfield, ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, 13 Apr-13 Sep 1945
- Detachment operated from Hsian Airfield, ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, 16 Apr-4 Aug 1945- Camp KilmerCamp KilmerCamp Kilmer, New Jersey is a former United States Army camp that was activated in June 1942 as a staging area and part of an installation of the New York Port of Embarkation. The camp was organized as part of the Army Service Forces Transportation Corps. Troops were quartered at Camp Kilmer in...
, New JerseyNew JerseyNew Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, 1-2 Nov 1945 - Dow Field (later, AFB), MaineMaineMaine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, 4 Apr 1947-27 Jun 1949 - Abilene (later, Dyess) AFB, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, 1 Sep 1955-25 Jun 1961
- Camp Kilmer
- Deployed at Andersen AFB, GuamGuamGuam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, 9 Jan-c. 3 Apr 1958- Malmstrom AFB, MontanaMontanaMontana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, 1 May 1962-Present
- Malmstrom AFB, Montana
Aircraft and Missiles
- B-25 MitchellB-25 MitchellThe North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades.The B-25 was named...
(1942–1945) - AT-6 Texan (1947–1949)
- AT-11 Kansan (1947–1949)
- B-47 StratojetB-47 StratojetThe Boeing Model 450 B-47 Stratojet was a long-range, six-engined, jet-powered medium bomber built to fly at high subsonic speeds and at high altitudes. It was primarily designed to drop nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union...
(1956–1961) - LGM-30A/B Minuteman ILGM-30 MinutemanThe LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States...
, 1962–1968 - LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1968–1991
- LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1996–Present
490th Missile Squadron Launch Facilities
- Missile Alert Facilities (K-O flights, each controlling 10 missiles) are located as follows:
- K-01 1.7 mi ExNE of Harlowton MT, 46°26′43"N 109°48′05"W
- L-01 1.3 mi NxNE of Judith Gap MT 46°41′40"N 109°44′27"W
- M-01 4.1 mi NE of Moore MT, 47°00′49"N 109°37′51"W
- N-01 11.0 mi WxNW of Grassrange MT, 47°03′33"N 109°01′54"W
- O-01 1.5 mi E of Roy MT, 47°19′43"N 108°55′37"W