Active 1940-1966; 1985-1990 Type Tactical Missile | ||
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The 89th Tactical Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 38th Tactical Missile Wing, based at Pydna Missile Base at Wüschheim Air Station, West Germany. It was inactivated on 22 August 1990.
Contents
History
Established in early 1941 as at B-18 Bolo medium reconnaissance squadron. After the Pearl Harbor Attack, flew antisubmarine missions over the southeast Atlantic coast.
Deployed to the Southwest Pacific in February 1942, flying A-20 Havoc and B-25 Mitchell medium bomberrs. Mission involved highly-dangerous skip bombings. During the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, engaged in the first sea-level attack by B-25 strafers in World War II and demonstrated that this tactic was extremely effective. The squadron also participated in the raids on Wewak, New Guinea, which were preemptive strikes that virtually ended the threat of enemy offensive air capabilities.
After World War II, moved to Japan and was reassigned to the 38th Bombardment Group. Performed occupation duty throughout the late 1940s, inactivated in 1949 due to budget reductions.
Reactivated in 1962 as a MGM-13 Mace NATO tactical missile squadron, stationed in West Germany. Maintained missiles until Mace was withdrawn from service in 1966.
Reactivated as a BGM-109G Gryphon Cruise Missile squadron in April 1985. Maintained 80 operational missiles in a combat-ready state. Inactivated in August 1990 as a result of the INF treaty and the elimination of the BGM-109G missile from service.
Lineage
Assignments
Stations
Dispersed Mace missile location