12th Missile Squadron

12th Missile Squadron
LGM-30G Minuteman III test launch at Vandenberg AFB, California
Active	1940-1944; 1947-1949; 1955-1961; 1961-present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Squadron
Role	Intercontinental ballistic missile
Part of	341st Operations Group Air Force Global Strike Command
Garrison/HQ	Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
Engagements	World War II (American Campaign)
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (7×)
Insignia
12th Strategic Missile Squadron emblem
12th Bombardment Squadron emblem (Approved 5 August 1957)

The 12th Missile Squadron (12 MS) is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 341st Operations Group, stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. The 12 MS is equipped with the LGM-30G Minuteman III Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), with a mission of nuclear deterrence.

The mission of the 341st Missile Wing is to keep America free and strong by providing combat-ready people and aerospace forces.

The 12th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) was organized and activated at Langley Field, Virginia, on 1 February 1940, as a member of the Twenty Fifth Bombardment Group (Heavy). The unit moved from Langley where it trained initially, to Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico, being assigned to the 25th Bombardment Group, Caribbean Air Force on 1 November 1940. Following the initial deployment to Puerto Rico. The Squadron participated in various training and familiarization flights with its small complement of B-18 Bolo medium bombers, until 8 November 1941 when it was ordered to deploy to Benedict Field, St. Croix, temporarily until September 1942, then at St. Nicholas, and Antigua.

Following the Pearl Harbor Attack, the Squadron commenced operations out of Benedict with its tiny force of three B-18's. However, these were exchanged for four slightly more efficacious B-18A's by 16 January 1942. By mid-February, these had been augmented by a further B-18 (while one of the B-18A's was away at Mobile Air Depot being fitted with one of the earliest airborne radar systems) and the Squadron had a total of four crews, three of whom had more than 12 months experience. Operations continued out of Benedict Field until 10 October 1942, when it moved to Dakota Field, Aruba and the following month came under the operational control of the Antilles Air Task Force and VI Fighter Command. By 11 December, the unit had six B-18B's and four Douglas A-20A Havocs while Flight "D" of the Squadron was at distant Borinquen Field with two further B-l8B's and a B-18. Apparently this aircraft dispersal proved too much for the unit to handle and, by January 1943, strength on report had dropped to a more reasonable total of just five B¬18B's and a single B-18C at Dakota Field, although Flight "D" remained at Borinquen as late as June, and Flight "C" moved from Dakota to Rio Hato Field, Panama from 1 June till 20 July 1943. In addition, several 59th Bombardment Squadron aircraft were attached to the 12th BS at this point, as were two Bell P-39D Airacobras of the 22d Pursuit Squadron.