Missile Squadron

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Missile Squadron (FKG) was the name given to two mobile units of the German Bundeswehr Air Force equipped with ballistic Pershing I missiles . As part of NATO - nuclear strategy flexible response of the German contribution to the used short-range missiles (SRBM) of the nuclear deterrent . In the event of a defense, it was planned to equip these German missiles with US nuclear warheads . The two squadrons were each subordinate to an air force division. Within the NATO command structure , missile squadron 2 was also subordinate to the Second Allied Tactical Air Force (2nd ATAF) and missile squadron 1 to the Fourth Allied Tactical Air Force (4th ATAF) from 1970 . In addition, there were three Pershing units stationed by the US armed forces of the 56th Field Artillery Brigade in Neckarsulm, Neu-Ulm and Schwäbisch Gmünd in West Germany.

precursor

The forerunner of the missile squadron was Missile Group 11 in Kaufbeuren with the missile TM 61-Matador , which had existed since the beginning of 1958 . After Missile Squadron 1 and 2 had been set up, Missile Group 13 (FKGr-13) was set up in Kaufbeuren on October 1 .

Missile Squadron 1

Squadron coat of arms of the FKG 1

The establishment of the missile squadron 1 (FKG 1) with the Pershing weapon system began on September 1, 1963 in Landsberg / Lech and was subordinate to the 1st Air Force Division in Fürstenfeldbruck. With the entry into service of the missile training group and missile groups 12 and 13 and the dissolution of missile group 11, the measures to build up the squadron were completed in 1965. In August 1964 the first Pershing rockets arrived in Landsberg. The QRA position (immediate standby position) was in Schwabstadl from 1966 to 1976 and in Görisried-Ochsenhof from 1976 . From January 1971, the 74th United States Army Field Artillery Detachment was responsible for providing the warheads in the context of nuclear participation. Previously the 82nd US Army Missile Detachment from November 1969 to January 1971.

Missile Squadron 2

Squadron coat of arms of the FKG 2

Missile Squadron 2 (FKG 2) with the Pershing weapon system was set up in Lechfeld on January 1, 1965 , relocated to Nörvenich in September 1965, to the Diedenhofen barracks in Wuppertal in August 1966 and to the new location in Geilenkirchen - Teveren in 1968 (from 1981 in the Selfkant barracks in Geilenkirchen- Niederheid ) and was subordinate to the 3rd Air Force Division in Kalkar . Missile groups 21 and 22 and the missile training group were also subordinate to FKG 2. The QRA position (immediate standby position) was from 1976 to November 1986 in Wegberg - Arsbeck . The 85th United States Army Field Artillery Detachment was responsible for providing the warheads as part of nuclear participation.

Introduction of the Pershing 1a weapon system

Pershing 1a of the Bundeswehr from Missile Squadron 2, Geilenkirchen
Pershing 1a of the FKG 2, August 1989 Geilenkirchen

In 1971 the associations were equipped with the more powerful Pershing 1a. This meant, among other things, a switch from tracked to wheeled vehicles and from analog to digital weapons computers.

At the same time, the missile squadron was restructured. They now consisted of the squadron staff, a support group and a task force .

The support group consisted of a staff unit with a driving school and an attached non-commissioned officer course, one

  • Flak battery ( Flak 20mm Zw) as a device unit,
  • Air Force First Aid Squadron,
  • Security relay,
  • Relay supply.

The task force was divided into a staff squadron and four missile squadrons. A missile squadron with around 250 soldiers consisted of:

  • three launch areas,
  • Telecommunication train,
  • Security train with four security groups,
  • Relay train, as well
  • an affiliated US team.

Decommissioning and dissolution

In the course of disarmament in connection with the INF Treaty , both squadrons were decommissioned at the end of the Cold War on October 4, 1990 and dissolved on December 31, 1991.

See also

The equipment of the Bundeswehr also included the MGM-29 Sergeant and MGM-52 Lance short-range missiles . They were the artillery troops subordinated to the Army Corps to level at Division level, the MGR-1 Honest John and later Light Artillery Rocket System Lars1, Lars2 and Mars .

swell

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