341st Missile Wing Heritage Pamphlet 2018

341st Missile Wing History
In August 1964, the Air Force announced plans to build an additional 50 silos assigned to the
341st to house the more modern LGM-30F Minuteman II missiles. As construction of these new
silos proceeded through 1966, the 564th Strategic Missile Squadron activated on 14 December
1965. Just over a year later America's 1,000th Minuteman missile would be in place and on alert
at Malmstrom in April 1967. On 5 May 1967, the 564 SMS was declared fully operational.
Malmstrom's missile field was now the largest in the United States, covering 23,500 square
miles. While new Minuteman IIs deployed with the 564th, upgrading of the Minuteman I models
had been ongoing with the wing starting a transition from "A" to "B" models in August 1964. By
June 1969, all Minuteman Is of the 10 , 12 and 490 SMSs, both "A" and "B" models, were
replaced by Minuteman IIs, increasing the wing's capabilities to four missile squadrons equipped
with a total of 200 Minuteman II missiles.
On 20 January 1975, teams from Ogden Air Logistics Center began replacing the Minuteman II
missiles of the 564 SMS, Malmstrom AFB, Montana, with Minuteman IIIs.
In November of that year, the wing began an integrated improvement program that included a
command data buffer and an improved launch control system. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s,
the wing' s missiles remained on alert and underwent extensive weapons systems upgrades. In
1985, the 341st SMW became the lead unit in the Minuteman Integrated Life Extension program
(Rivet Mile).
On 1 September 1991 the 341st SMW was redesignated simply as the 341 Missile Wing, part of
Strategic Air Command's Twentieth Air Force. As such it apparently became the only formation
designated a 'Missile Wing' ever assigned to SAC. During Operations Desert Shield/Storm, the