Sembach Air Base
Germany

The 11th Tactical Missile Squadron, the first Matador missile squadron at Sembach, was attached to 7382nd Tactical Missile Group on 1 July 1956.  The 11th TMS was originally activated 17 June 1954 at Orlando AFB, Florida, as the 11th Pilotless Bomber Squadron, 9th Air Force (TAC). The unit was redesignated the 11th Tactical Missile Squadron on 08 June 1955 prior to its deployment to Germany when it was relieved 9th AF, TAC, and was reassigned to United States Air Forces Europe.

On 15 September 1956, the 7382nd Tactical Missile Group was inactivated and replaced by the newly activated 587th Tactical Missile Group, part of the newly activated 701st Tactical Missile Wing, headquartered at Hahn Air Base.

On 18 June 1958, the 11th TMS was inactivated and replaced with the 822d Tactical Missile Squadron, 587th Tactical Missile Group, no change of station, with the activation of the 38th Tactical Missile Wing at Hahn AB and the deactivation of the 701st TMW.

On 1 September 1959, Sembach became USAFE's primary missile base when the 38th Tactical Missile Wing headquarters moved from Hahn Air Base to Sembach Air Base. The three Tactical Missile Groups assigned as part of the 38th TMW in 1958 continued with their assignments: the 587th TMG at Sembach, the 586th TMG at Hahn AB, and the 585th TMG at Bitburg AB.

The 38th TMW underwent a fundamental reorganization on 25 September 1962 when it took command of the 822d TMS from the 587th Tactical Missile Group, when the three Tactical Missile Groups were inactivated, concurrent with the retirement of the TM-61C Matador. Inactivated the same day along with the 587th TMG were the 586th Tactical Missile Group at Hahn Air Base and the 585th Tactical Missile Group at Bitburg Air Base. Concurrently, two additional squadrons, the 823d and 887th TMSs were activated at Sembach.

The 823d Bombardment Squadron had been inactivated 12 April 1946, but was reactivated and renamed the 823d Tactical Missile Squadron, 10 September 1962, assigned to the 38th TMW at Sembach AB on 18 September 1962. The TM-61 Matador missile had been replaced with the TM-76A Mace at Hahn and Sembach, while the TM-76B was being brought operational at Bitburg AB with the 71st TMS.

The 38th TMW and its subordinate units were deactivated, except for the 71st TMS which was transferred to the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, on 25 September 1966 and the 603d Air Base Wing took over host duties for Sembach Air Base. All TM-76A, then renumbered to MGM-13A, Mace tactical missile operations at Sembach AB and Hahn AB were deactivated and the remaining 71st Tactical Missile Squadron at Bitburg Air Base, transferred to Bitburg's host 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, remained on active duty with the CGM-13B (TM-76B) Mace until April 30th, 1969.

38th Tactical Missile Wing Headquarters
Sembach Air Base, Germany, 1962

Photograph courtesy of Thomas Seelig (tomseelig@embarqmail.com)

USAF Art

"Our Mace And Matador Missiles Ready To Guard Freedom In Germany, Europe And The Entire Free World, Are Themselves Guarded Around The Clock. Shown Here, They Are Guarded By Teams Of Men And Police Dogs Patrolling The Area Through The Night.This Was A Phase Of Air Force Operations I Felt Important Enough To Portray As Dramatically As Possible. To This End, I Used Strong Color Contrasts, Powerful Sweeping Brush Strokes And A Dynamic Composition To Create This Scene Of Impending Unleashed Might."

MISSILE GUARDS - SEMBACH, GERMANY
Artist: Donald Moss

USAF Art

"While Touring Defense Bases In Germany, The Sight Of These Missiles Cradled On The Launching Mechanisms Struck Me As Symbolic Of Our Defense Of Eyrope. The Aircraft Streaking Through An Almost Eternally Clouded Sky And The Old German Village Nestled In The Background Complete The Picture.Paradoxically, While The German Farmers Go About Their Business Of Tending The Fields, USAF Personnel Thousands Of Miles From Their Own Homes Are Engaged In The Grim Business Of Constant Nuclear Vigilance."

MACE MISSILES - SEMBACH, GERMANY

Artist: Donald Moss