549th Strategic Missile Squadron

549th Strategic Missile Squadron
549th SMS SM-65D Atlas missile arriving At Offut AFB NE 1961 from Douglas C-133A-35-DL Cargomaster, 57-1614
Active	1942-1949; 1961-1964
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	ICBM Missile Squadron
Engagements	World War II (EAME Theater)
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation (2x)
Insignia
549th Strategic Missile Squadron emblem

The 549th Strategic Missile Squadron (549 SMS) is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 385th Strategic Aerospace Wing, stationed at Offut AFB, Nebraska.

The 549 SMS was equipped with the SM-65D Atlas Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), with a mission of nuclear deterrence. The squadron was inactivated as part of the phaseout of the Atlas ICBM on 15 December 1964.

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 June 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.

Effective 15 September 1947, the squadron was activated at Selfridge Field, Michigan. Having been allotted to the organized reserves, with assignment to Second Air Force, Air Defense Command, it was redesigned as a very heavy bombardment unit on 25 August. In July 1948, the squadron was assigned to the Tenth Air Force, which in December, became a part of the Continental Air Command. The squadron was inactivated on 27 June 1949 due to budget restrictions.