| 319th Missile Squadron | |
|---|---|
 LGM-30G Minuteman III test launch at Vandenberg AFB, California | |
| Active | 1942–1946; 1947–1948; 1951–1960; 1963–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Type | Squadron |
| Role | Intercontinental ballistic missile |
| Part of | Air Force Global Strike Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Francis E. Warren Air Force Base |
| Nickname(s) | Asterperious (World War II) |
| Engagements | Southwest Pacific Theater |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation |
| Insignia | |
| 319th Missile Squadron emblem (Approved 2 September 1955)[1] |  |
| 319th Bombardment Squadron emblem (Approved 11 June 1943)[2][3] |  |
| 319th Bombardment Squadron "Jolly Rogers" patch[note 1] |  |
The 319th Missile Squadron is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the 90th Operations Group at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. The squadron is equipped with the LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, with a mission of nuclear deterrence. It is the flagship squadron of the 90th Missile Wing.
The squadron was first activated as the 319th Bombardment Squadron in 1942. It flew Consolidated B-24 Liberators in the Pacific during World War II, where it earned two Distinguished Unit Citations and a Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation for its actions in combat. After VJ Day, the squadron remained in the Philippines until January 1946, when it was inactivated.
The squadron was again activated in 1951 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress unit. After moving to Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas, it served as a training unit for Strategic Air Command units and aircrews in the B-29. In 1953 it converted to the strategic reconnaissance mission, upgrading to the Boeing RB-47 Stratojet in 1954. After 1958 it trained reconnaissance crews with the B-47 and continued that mission until it was inactivated in 1960.
The squadron was activated again in 1963 as the 319th Strategic Missile Squadron, an LGM-30B Minuteman I squadron. In 1974 it modernized its missiles to the multi-warhead Minuteman III. Following the implementation of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, its missiles were limited to a single warhead.
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (6 December 2012). "Factsheet 319 Missile Squadron (AFGSC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
- ^ Endicott (unpaginated)
- ^ Watkins, pp. 86–87
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