567SMS-hist

567th SMS - HISTORY

CONTENTS OF HISTORY PAGE
Photo Albums - Pictorial History
Narrative History
Standing Watch-
(the history of Deer Park)
567 SMS flag
Crew Roster 1964
Launch Simulator
567th Bomb Squadron History
(click back button to return to contents)


PHOTO ALBUMS The following sections contain a pictorial history of the 567th Strategic Missile Squadron. It covers the beginning and the end, as well as the people. Click on the name in the frame and you will get a full size picture of that subject

Personnel Photos

J. Allen's crew
N. Gerlich's crew
R. Barry's crew (64)
R. Barry's crew (65)
D. Black's crew
Dave Turner's crew
H. Turner's crew
(H. Turner's early R-36 crew)
D. Holmes' crew
P Mathis' crew
R. Lemanski's crew
Gil Hanson's crew
Group # 1
Group # 2
Group # 3
Group # 4
Powermen, Bishop & Kroll
Job Control
Christmas 1963


Operational Photos	Deactivation Photos
Arrival of the first Atlas at Fairchild Atlas on its way to site 3 Raised Breathing Personnel Tunnel Launch Console Diesel Generator Logic Units Propellant Loading Exercise Atlas in Missile bay	Atlas leaving site at Deactivation Lox Storage Tank Uncovered Nitrogen Cylinders Removing Generator Flame Deflector Empty Missile Bay Headed for Norton Empty Tunnel

Standing Watch
The history of Deer Park

567th SMS Flag Retired


CREW ROSTER (as of 1 April 1964)


LAUNCH SIMULATOR Created by Larry Page and Dick Mellor


The following is the narrative history of the 567th Strategic Missile Squadron

THE NUCLEAR POWER STANDOFF
567th SMS unique place in the Cuban Missile Crisis

Although it occurred more than forty years ago, many of us remember the Cuban Missile Crisis in October of 1962. The movie “Thirteen Days” and other documentaries tell the story. The Defcon level had risen to a position just short of war. US military forces spread all over the world were poised to strike. The Soviet and American governments came face to face in a test of wills. The potential for the use of nuclear weapons was ominously present.

Television provided the American public, as well as the rest of the world, the ability to watch the confrontation of immense proportions play out in their living rooms. There was an intensity to viewing these unfolding events that is hard to describe. President Kennedy showing photographs displaying the buildup of the missile sites in Cuba. Adlai Stevenson, our Ambassador to the United Nations, producing graphic photos of the sites confirming the presence of Soviet nuclear missiles. President Kennedy drew an imaginary line on the ocean well short of the shores of Cuba. He explained that Soviet ships containing missiles that passed this line would be sunk. We watched as they approached the line. paused, turned and returned home. The crisis began and ended before our eyes.

Few know the role of the 567th Strategic Missile Squadron stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base. Critical to the president’s stand was the availability of credible weapons systems, ready and capable of immediate response. In addition to the Navy’s submarines, B-47s all over the world, B-52s on ground and airborne alert ready to deliver a nuclear response, the 567th SMS was an important but little recognized player. Their Atlas nuclear missiles could strike Cuba in a matter of minutes; faster than any other major weapon. The unique feature of the 567th was that they were the only squadron that could retarget the long-range Atlas missiles to Cuba. All other Atlas squadrons were geographically too close to Cuba to hit it. The squadron fulfilled its role with nine Atlas E missiles fully ready for response if called upon. There were, and still are, few area citizens aware of the missile silos’ in the immediate area of Spokane, Washington and fewer still that know their role in the Cuban Crisis.

The squadron had established an enviable record of maintenance and performance. It was ready to perform its mission with all missiles just short of the launch mode. Some squadron members spent the entire thirteen days in the silos, hearing only briefings about the events occurring between the United States and the Soviet Union. Their only contact during this period was a monitored telephone they could use to call their families. While it was a time of great anxiety and tension, the members of the 567th SMS stood ready to perform their assigned duties. Peace was kept, in part. because of the capability of this unique squadron and its members.

The history of the 567th SMS, significant as it is to the area and the nation, is a part of the overall historical picture which will be displayed in the Armed Forces & Aerospace Museum.

Story contributed by: Meri Gorton


The 567th Strategic Missile Squadron has a unique history. Fairchild Air Force Base became the first to have both bombers and intercontinental missiles in one wing. The 92nd was designated a Strategic Aerospace Wing Oct. 1, 1961 when all nine missile complexes belonging to the 567th went on alert for the first time. From that time, and until its deactivation in 1965 the 567th SMS captured almost every possible award for excellence. The 567th SMS has the distinction of being the first combat ready Atlas E squadron.


The most significant of all the accomplishments of the squadron was its record on Operational Readiness Inspections. Not only was it the first missile squadron to pass an ORI, it was the only one to never fail one. (link to newspaper article) *Oct. 1961* The only safety trophy ever awarded to a missile unit by General Dynamics-Astronautics was presented to the 567th SMS for safety achievements in missile installation and check-out during 1960-61. *Dec. 1961* The unit won the first Headquarters, USAF trophy for "Outstanding Achievement in Missile Safety for 1961" *Feb. 1963* SAC's Charles D. Trail Materiel Trophy was presented to the 567th SMS for performance of the unit exhibiting the most spirit and talent for "getting the job done" under any and all circumstances. *Apr. 1963* Gen. Thomas S. Power, who was then SAC commander in chief, made a special trip the Fairchild to tour the 567th SMS. During his visit he congratulated them on their outstanding record in missile operations and complimented their sustained demonstration of professionalism. Lt. Gen. Archie J. Old, Fifteenth Air Force Commander sent his congratulations at that time also. *Sep. 1963* The 567th was selected by the Air Force Association to receive the Outstanding Missile Unit Award. The Air Force Association is made up of active and retired personnel whose primary purpose is to support the Air Force and Air Force interests. *Jan. 1964* General Power presented the "Best Maintenance Unit is SAC" trophy to Lt. Col. Robert K. Friedli, 567th SMS commander, at Headquarters, SAC during a commanders' conference. A certificate accompanying the trophy said that the award was for outstanding achievement in support of the Strategic Air Command mission. *Mar. 1964* During the month, the 567th was awarded permanent possession of the "Best Missile Squadron in the 18th Strategic Aerospace Division" trophy. *Apr. 1964* The Col. Lee R. Williams Memorial Award was presented for meritorious achievement in all aspects of ballistic missile operations. *Nov. 1964* The 567th successfully completed an evaluation of their missile sites, shop areas and staff section by the 3901st Strategic Missile Evaluation Team from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. *Dec. 1964* The unit won the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, an award given to military units for performing extraordinary service to national or international significance in support of national security. (link to newspaper article) Mar. 1965 The 567th was awarded the First Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. (link to newspaper article) Along with their many awards for excellence in the field of missile operation, the 567th SMS has scored exceptionally high in safety ratings. They have never recorded a single missile incident or accident. This outstanding achievement has also been acknowledged by SAC.


567th BOMB SQUADRON

Some may be unaware off the connection of the squadron and a WWII Bomb Squadron of the same designation. Thanks to David Dobbs we have the following information.

They flew B24s, were a part of the 389th Bomb Group, 8th AF, and were based in Hethel, England during June-July of 1943. Almost immediately the the group was dispatched to Libya, where it flew it's first mission on July 9th. The group participated in the August 1st mission to Ploesti, Rumania; called Operation Tidal Wave. The group target was the refinery complex at Campina. The unit received a DUC, lost 4 aircraft in Romania, 2 made it to Turkey, out of 29 planes. It is believed that some planes and crews were leant to other bomb groups for the main assault on Ploesti. (another source says the 389th lost 7 aircraft) The unit returned to England, flew several missions to France & Holland, was again redeployed to the MTO, came back to the ETO, and flew against strategic targets until the end of the war, flying its last mission on April 25, 1945. The unit was deactivated at Charleston AAFld, SC. on Sept. 13th 1945. The 389th was named "The Sky Scorpions" with an unapproved patch that actually looks like dragon. The 567th also had an unapproved patch that shows a Texas Longhorn steer on a large bomb.



PATCH	TAIL MARKING