History of USAF Space and Missile Program

By Senior Master Sgt Stan Hammack, 70th APS 1st Sgt

This year marks the 50 year anniversary of the USAF Space and Missile program. In May of 1954, the Air Force made building an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile its top priority, due to findings by the Teapot commission. Twelve officers and three enlisted men led by Brigadier General Bernard Schriever, started a research development division in Los Angeles. This event became the birth of the USAF missile program.

Where was Homestead and the 482d FW during the conception of Air Force Missile and Space?

The 435th Troop Carrier Wing known as the Air Force Reserve’s “Flamingo Wing” resided at Miami International Airport. This was the only military flying unit in the Miami area leading up to the birth of the missile program. National Security interests in the Caribbean such as the Soviet-Cuba relationship prompted the U.S. government to reactivate Homestead AFB in 1955.

The 379th Bomb Wing under the Strategic Air Command activated at Homestead on November 1, 1955, with B-47s Stratojets and KC-07 tankers, as the race to build operational ballistic missiles and contain the Soviets ran on. The “Flamingo Wing” officially moved to Homestead in 1960. In 1962, as the rush to beat the Soviets continued, the Cuban Missile Crisis brought Homestead to the forefront of missile and space defense. Homestead AFB began a strategic placement of AGM-29 “Hound Dog” and ADM-20 “Quail” missile assets maintained at the time was the movement of the 31st TFW to Homestead in June 1962. Homestead AFB has supported the space program most recently from August 1960 to December 1992 in the performance of the 301st Rescue Squadron, assigned to rescue coverage for space shuttle launches.

For more information on the history of Homestead AFB, contact your unit historian or call the 482d Fighter Wing Historian at (305) 224- 7365.