566th Strategic Missile Squadron
The 566th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 389th Strategic Missile Wing at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, where it was inactivated on 25 March 1965. The squadron was equipped with SM-65 Atlases.
| 566th Strategic Missile Squadron | |
|---|---|
Squadron SM-65E Atlas missile in fully raised position at launch site | |
| Active | 1943–1945; 1947–1949; 1959–1965 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Squadron |
| Role | Intercontinental ballistic missile |
| Engagements | European Theater of Operations |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation |
| Insignia | |
| 566th Strategic Missile Squadron emblem | |
| 566th Bombardment Squadron emblem | |
| World War II fuselage marking | RR |
The squadron was first activated during World War II as the 566th Bombardment Squadron. After training in the United States, it deployed to England, and participated in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany. Shortly after its arrival in Europe, the squadron sent a detachment to Libya. From this location, the detachment participated in Operation Tidal Wave, the low level attack on oil refineries near Ploesti, for which it was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation. Following V-E Day, the squadron returned to the United States and was inactivated in September 1945. The squadron was active from 1947 to 1949 in the reserve, but does not appear to have been fully equipped or manned.
It was activated as a strategic missile unit at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska in 1959, but moved to Warren in 1961 as it was becoming operational.