This week in history: First Titan II delivered to Davis-Monthan AFB
On Nov. 27, 1962, the first Titan II ICBM was delivered to Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. The first production Titan II ICBM was delivered Nov. 27, 1962, to the 390th Strategic Missile Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. In November 1959, the Department of Defense authorized the development of the new Titan II (SM-68B/LGM-25C). The Air Force awarded Martin the Titan II contract in June 1960. As planned, Titan II would be a larger, more advanced missile with in-silo launch capability. Titan II development began in 1960 with the first launch in March 1962. The Jan. 1, 1962, activation of the 390 SMW marked the first standup of a Titan II missile wing. In April 1963, the first Titan II went on alert at Davis-Monthan AFB. Eventually, more than 140 Titan II ICBMs were manufactured. They were deployed at two missile squadrons at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.; two at Little Rock AFB, Ark.; and two at McConnell AFB, Kan. Titan ICBMs remained on strategic alert for 25 years until the last one was decommissioned in 1987. (Courtesy photo)