1st Tactical Missile Squadron

1st Tactical Missile Squadron
Martin TM-61 Matador missile of the 1st Tactical Missile Squadron
Active	1946-1950; 1951-1958
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Nickname(s)	Pioneers
Insignia
Patch with 1st Tactical Missile Squadron Emblem

The 1st Tactical Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 585th Tactical Missile Group at Bitburg Air Base, West Germany, where it was inactivated on 18 June 1958.

The squadron was first established as the 1st Experimental Guided Missiles Squadron, one of the original Army Air Forces missile test squadrons, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. It tested air-to-surface missiles from 1946 until inactivated in 1950.

Reactivated at Patrick AFB, Florida in 1951 as the 1st Bombardment Squadron, Missile (Light), but soon redesignated 1st Pilotless Bomber Squadron. Experimented with tactical cruise missiles, including the Republic-Ford JB-2 and B-61 Matador. The squadron developed procedures and methods for deployment of tactical nuclear missiles.

The 1st deployed to the United States Air Forces in Europe, being attached to the 36th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Bitburg AB, West Germany in March 1954, making it the first operational United States missile unit. At Bitburg ths squadron was equipped with the B-61A Matador. The 1st was redesignated as the 1st Tactical Missile Squadron at that time. The B-61A Matador was renumbered as the TM-61A Matador, reflecting that it was a Tactical Missile, not a Bomber.

The 1st Tactical Missile Squadron was detached from the 36th Fighter-Day Wing with no change of station, and attached to the newly formed 7382d Guided Missile Group (Tactical) headquartered at Hahn Air Base, on 1 February 1956.

The 7382d Tactical Missile Group was inactivated on 15 Sept 1956, and the 1st Tactical Missile Squadron was reassigned to the newly formed 585th Tactical Missile Group at Bitburg Air Base, as part of the newly formed 701st Tactical Missile Wing, headquartered at Hahn AB. The unit converted from the TM-61A to the TM-61C during that time.