508th Missile Squadron

508th Missile Squadron
LGM-30F Minuteman II test launch at Vandenburg AFB, California
Active	1942–1945; 1947–1949; 1962–1995
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Squadron
Role	Intercontinental ballistic missile
Garrison/HQ	Whiteman AFB, Missouri
Engagements	World War II (EAME Theater)
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (6x)
Insignia
508th Strategic Missile Squadron emblem

The 508th Missile Squadron (508 MS) is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 351st Missile Group, stationed at Whiteman AFB, Missouri.

The 508 MS was equipped with the LGM-30F Minuteman II Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), with a mission of nuclear deterrence. With the end of the Cold War, the 508th was inactivated on 28 July 1995.

Activated in late 1942 as a B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomb squadron, trained under Second Air Force. Deployed to England in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) during April 1943, assigned to VIII Bomber Command as a strategic bombardment squadron. Participated in the air offensive over Nazi Germany and Occupied Europe until German capitulation in May 1945. Personnel demobilized in England and returned to the United States; squadron reassigned to Second Air Force and was programmed to be re-equipped with B-29 Superfortresses for deployment to Pacific Theater. Japanese capitulation led to units inactivation in September 1945, being neither manned or equipped.

Activated in the postwar reserve as a B-29 squadron. Inactivated in 1949 due to budget reductions.

On 9 August 1962 the 508th Strategic Missile Squadron was activated as a SAC LGM-30B Minuteman I intercontinental ballistic missile wing. Activated on 1 May 1963, being made operational on 14 January 1964, with a complement of 50 missiles. Declared combat ready on 5 June 1964. From May 1966 to October 1967, converted to LGM-30F Minuteman II missiles.

With the restructuring of the Air Force and the disestablishment of Strategic Air Command (SAC) in the early 1990s was reassigned to Air Combat Command (ACC) in 1992 and then under Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) in 1993.