526th Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Systems Group


The 526th Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Systems Group is an inactive United States Air Force group. It was last stationed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where it was inactivated in 2010. The group was first activated as the 26th Antisubmarine Wing during World War II to conduct anti-submarine warfare in the Caribbean and off the Atlantic seaboard of Georgia and Florida. It was again active during the Cold War as the 706th Strategic Missile Wing, an SM-65 Atlas missile wing. Its final period of service was as a systems and sustainment organization for USAF intercontinental ballistic missiles.

History

World War II

The group was first activated in 1942 as the 26th Antisubmarine Wing, to supervise Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command units in the Caribbean and South Atlantic. Its area of jurisdiction ranged from the Georgia/Florida border along the Atlantic Coast outward to approximately 100 miles eastward from coastline to the entire Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea from the Florida Straits south to the Venezuela coast. As the Army Air Forces turned responsibility for anti-submarine warfare over to the United States Navy in 1943, the wing was transferred to First Air Force and disbanded while its squadrons were transferred and redesignated bombardment squadrons.

Cold War

The 706th Strategic Missile Wing was established on 13 February 1958 at Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. Preparation for intercontinental ballistic missile operations at F.E. Warren began on 15 January 1958 when Air [Research and Development Command] established the Strategic Missile Wing. On 1 February, Strategic Air Command took over F.E. Warren from Air Training Command and replaced the provisional wing with its List of MAJCOM wings of [the United States Air Force|Major Command controlled] 4320th Strategic Wing. The 4320th was a support organization, and was assigned the 389th Air Base Group to act as the host for units at F.E. Warren.
The 706th replaced the 4320th almost immediately, assuming control of the 389th. Two operational squadrons were activated later that year; the 564th and 565th Strategic Missile Squadrons. It accepted its first two SM-65 Atlas missile complexes in August 1960, gaining initial operational capability. The same year a third operational squadron, the 549th Strategic Missile Squadron was assigned
The 706th Wing was replaced by the 389th Strategic Missile Wing and inactivated on 1 July 1961. The 389th assumed the 706th mission, equipment and personnel, except for the 549th Squadron, which moved to Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

Logistics Unit

In 1985, the two wings were consolidated as the 526th Special Operations Wing, but the wing was not activated until 2005, when it was activated as the 526th Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Systems Wing. In 2007, the wing was reduced to a group, and was assigned to the 508th Aerospace Sustainment Wing.
The intercontinental ballistic missile System Program Office develops, acquires, and supports silo-based ICBMs and provides program direction and logistics support as the single face to the customer. The SPO is responsible for acquisition, systems engineering and depot repair support; manages equipment spares; provides storage and transportation; and, accomplishes modifications and equipment replacement to maintain silo-based ICBM systems. The ICBM Prime Integration Contract Program Management Office, LM, is charged with day-to-day execution and management of the PIC. The office is accountable to the System Program Director for cost, schedule, and technical performance of the ICBM prime contractor. LM supports the other SPO divisions by working with LMK-P to translate requirements for engineering services and/or modification/replacement programs into the necessary contracting actions.

Lineage

26th Antisubmarine Wing
  • Constituted as 26th Antisubmarine Wing on 17 November 1942
  • Disbanded on 15 October 1943
  • Reconstituted on 31 July 1985 and consolidated with the 706th Strategic Missile Wing as the 526th Special Operations Wing
706th Strategic Missile Wing
  • Constituted as 706th Strategic Missile Wing on 13 February 1958
  • Discontinued and inactivated on 1 July 1961
  • Consolidated on 31 July 1985 with the 26th Antisubmarine Wing as the 526th Special Operations Wing
526th Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Systems Group

Groups