551st STRATEGIC MISSILE SQUADRON

Constituted as the 551st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) and activated on 1 December 1942 as a B-17 unit assigned to the 8th Air Force as part of the 4th Bombardment Wing at Suffolk, England.  They flew missions against Fokker assembly plants at Amsterdam and submarine pens in Norway.  They also flew bombing missions to Germany, including Schweinfurt.  They were deactivated as a unit on 28 August 1945.

The 551st Strategic Missile Squadron was activated on 1 April 1961 under the 98th Aerospace Wing at Lincoln AFB, Nebraska.

They were equipped with the HGM-16F (ATLAS) international ballistic missile with a seven megaton warhead.  Playing a major role in the cold war, they were the last Atlas - F Squadron to stand at alert.  Deactivated in 1965 when Lincoln closed.

Personnel of the 551st are still very active with their own association and hold an annual reunion.  For information, contact:

551st SMS Association
2890 Lafayette Ave.
Bronx, NY 10465-2231
781-792-2360
sms551@aol.com

NEXT:  98th BOMBARDMENT WING DETACHMENT IV: KB-29s 1952 - 1953