579th Strategic Missile Squadron information

579th Strategic Missile Squadron
Squadron SM-65F Atlas at Arroyo del Macho, NM[a]
Active	1943–1945; 1946–1949; 1961–1965
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Squadron
Role	Intercontinental ballistic missile
Motto(s)	Peace Through Strength (after 1963)
Engagements	European Theater of Operations
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation
Insignia
579th Strategic Missile Squadron emblem[b][1]
World War II fuselage code[2]	GC

The 579th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 6th Strategic Aerospace Wing at Walker Air Force Base, New Mexico

The unit was first established in January 1943 as the 579th Bombardment Squadron. After training with Consolidated B-24 Liberators in the United States, the squadron deployed to the European Theater of Operations, where it participated in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany. The squadron was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for its actions in an attack on Gotha, Germany in February 1944. Following V-E Day, the squadron returned to the United States and was inactivated. It was again active between September 1947 and June 1949 in the reserve, but does not appear to have been fully manned or equipped with tactical aircraft at this time.

On 1 July 1961, the squadron went on alert as a Strategic Air Command intercontinental ballistic missile squadron, equipped with the SM-65F Atlas, with a mission of nuclear deterrence. The squadron was inactivated as part of the phaseout of the Atlas ICBM on 25 March 1965.

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