823rd Tactical Missile Squadron

823d Tactical Missile Squadron
Active	1943–1946; 1962–1966
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Tactical Missile
Nickname(s)	Terrible Tigers (World War II)
Engagements	World War II
Insignia
823d Bombardment Squadron emblem (World War II)

The 823d Tactical Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 38th Tactical Missile Wing, based at Sembach Air Base, West Germany. It was inactivated on 25 September 1966.

History

World War II

The 823d was not manned prior to about 20 June 1943; it was raised in Australia from a cadre of parent 38BG and replacements. The unit flew missions from Northern Queensland over New Guinea Following that, it moved to forward airfields in New Guinea and followed MacArthur's advance along the northern coast of the island into the Netherlands East Indies flying tactical bombardment missions against Japanese strong points and airfields. It moved to Luzon, Philippines, as part of the United States liberation forces in 1945, then moved to Okinawa during the summer in preparation for the Invasion of Japan. Following the end of the war, the unit moved to Japan and became part of the Occupation Forces. It was inactivated in 1949 due to budget reductions.

European missile unit

The unit was reactivated in West Germany in 1958 as a MGM-1 Matador tactical missile squadron when the unit was ordered out of France. Prior to its activation, personnel were assigned to the 38th TMW / 587th Tactical Missile Group / 822d Tactical Missile Squadron as "B-Flight".

The 823d remained as a tactical missile unit until 1966 when the MGM-13 Mace was retired.

Lineage

• Constituted as the 823d Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 29 March 1943

Activated on 20 April 1943

Redesignated 823d Bombardment Squadron, Medium c. 1944

Inactivated on 12 April 1946

• Redesignated 823d Tactical Missile Squadron and activated on 10 September 1962 (not organized)

Organized on 25 September 1962

Inactivated on September 25, 1966

Assignments

• 38th Bombardment Group, 20 April 1943 – 12 April 1946
• United States Air Forces in Europe, 10 September 1962 (not organized)
• 38th Tactical Missile Wing, 25 September 1962 – 25 September 1966

Stations

• RAAF Base Amberley, Australia, 30 April 1942
• Doomben Field (Eagle Farm Airport), Australia, c. 10 June 1942
• Breddan Aerodrome, Australia, 7 August 1942
• RAAF Base Townsville, Australia, 30 September 1942
• Durand Airfield, Port Moresby, New Guinea, 26 November 1942
• Nadzab Airfield Complex, New Guinea, 4 March 1944
• Mokmer Airfield, Biak, Netherlands East Indies, 1 October 1944

• Pitoe Airfield, Morotai, Netherlands East Indies, 15 October 1944
• Lingayen Airfield, Luzon, Philippines, c. 29 January 1945
• Motobu Airfield, Okinawa, 25 July 1945
• Itazuke Airfield, Japan, c. 22 November 1945
• Itami Airfield, Japan, 26 October 1946 – 1 April 1949
• Sembach Air Base, Germany, 25 September 1962 – 25 September 1966

Dispersed Matador/Mace missile location

• Site II "Invent" – 3.0 miles (4.8 km) SSE of Sembach AB49°28′06″N 007°53′53″E

Closed 1966, Abandoned state, buildings in various states of deterioration, missile shelters removed, concrete pads remain.

Aircraft and missiles

• B-25 Mitchell, 1943–1946
• MGM-13 Mace, 1962–1966

See also

• List of United States Air Force missile squadrons

References

Bibliography

• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
• Mindling, George; Bolton, Robert (2008). U.S. Air Force Tactical Missiles, 1949-1969: The Pioneers. Raleigh, NC: Lulu Press, Inc. ISBN 978-0-557-00029-6. LCCN 2008908364. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
• Watkins, Robert A. (2013). Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the U.S. Army Air Force In World War II. Vol. Volume V, Pacific Theater of Operations. Atglen,PA: Shiffer Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-4346-9. {{cite book}}: |volume= has extra text (help)