625th Strategic Operations Squadron

625th Strategic Operations Squadron
625th Strategic Operations Squadron emblem
Active	1996-Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Strategic Operations
Role	Nuclear Targeting, Strategic Automated Command and Control, Airborne Launch Control Systems, Missile Analysis
Part of	20 AF/Global Strike Command
Garrison/HQ	Offutt AFB, Nebraska
Motto(s)	SI VIS PACEM PARA BELLUM - "If you wish peace, prepare for war"
Decorations	AFOUA
Commanders
Current commander	Lt Col J. Grayson Higby

The mission of the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron (625 STOS) is to find, analyze, and evaluate strategic nuclear targets for U.S. nuclear forces inside OPLAN 8044, formerly known as the SIOP.^[1]

Mission

Three mission areas are encompassed by subordinate flights:

• Strategic Automated Command & Control System flight - distributing emergency action messages to the warfighter (Tell ICBM combat crews when to "execute")
• Weapons & Tactics Flight - Targeting for ICBMs (Tell the missiles where to hit)
• Airborne Launch Control System Flight - provide training and crewmembers for two positions on board E-6B Mercury Airborne Launch Control System (Launch the missiles, if combat crews are unable)

History

The 625 STOS was previously designated 625th Missile Operations Flight (625 MOF).^[2]

625 MOF's mission was to verify missile targeting, trains airborne launch control system crews and ensures strategic communications networks between the launch control centers and national leadership are operating.^[3]

The squadron transferred to the Air Force Global Strike Command upon the unit's activation.^[4]

Emblem significance

Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The mission element symbolizes three mission areas and flights (Airborne Launch Control System flight, Strategic Automated Command and Control Systems Flight). The world globe represents the unit's global spanning missions. The stars represent the unit's commitment to the ever vigilant forces at three missile wings located at Malmstrom AFB, Minot AFB, and FE Warren AFB.^[5]

Previous designations

• 625th Strategic Operations Squadron (14 June 2007–Present)^[6]
• 625th Missile Operations Flight (1 April 1996 – 14 June 2007)

Bases stationed

• Offutt AFB, Nebraska (15 April 1996–Present)

Aircraft & Missiles Operated

• E-6B (2007–Present)^[7]
• LGM-30G Minuteman III ICBMs

Decorations

• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
  • 1 October 2001 – 30 September 2003^[6]
  • 1 October 1999 – 30 September 2001^[6]
  • 1 October 1995 – 30 September 1997^[8]

References

Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC)
Bases	Barksdale Dyess Ellsworth F. E. Warren Malmstrom Minot Whiteman
Units	Air Forces Eighth Twentieth Wings Air Base 377th Bomb 2d 5th 7th 28th 509th Missile 90th 91st 341st Nuclear Systems 498th Groups Helicopter 582d Operations 2d 5th 7th 28th 90th 91st 341st 509th Squadrons Bomb 9th 11th 13th 20th 23d 28th 34th 37th 69th 93d 96th 343d 393d Combat Training 394th Flight test 576th Missile 10th 12th 319th 320th 321st 490th 740th 741st 742d Helicopter 37th 40th 54th Strategic Operations 625th Training 436th
Weapon systems	Bombers B-1B Lancer B-2 Spirit B-52H Stratofortress Command E-6B Mercury Helicopters UH-1N Iroquois Missiles LGM-30G Minuteman III
Leadership	Kowalski Klotz Kowalski Wilson Rand