About this Unit
The SAC-3909 Operations Squadron was a unit of the United States Air Force assigned to RAF Greenham Common in England during the Cold War. Activated in the early 1980s under Strategic Air Command (SAC), the squadron played a key role in operating and maintaining the Ground Launched Cruise Missiles (GLCM) as part of NATO’s nuclear deterrent in Europe. The unit was responsible for the security, readiness, and deployment of these missiles, contributing to the balance of power during a tense period of East-West relations. Following the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 1987, the mission of the 3909th wound down, and the squadron was inactivated as the missiles were withdrawn and the base closed in the early 1990s.
Historical Facts
• Strategic Air Command Presence: SAC-3909 Operations Squadron was part of the United States Air Force’s Strategic Air Command (SAC), which managed America’s strategic nuclear deterrence during the Cold War.
• Greenham Common Air Base: RAF Greenham Common in England was the squadron’s home base, becoming a focal point for NATO’s nuclear strategy in Europe.
• Ground Launched Cruise Missiles (GLCM): The unit was responsible for the operational readiness, security, and maintenance of BGM-109G Gryphon cruise missiles, a key element of NATO’s response to Soviet missile deployments.
• Formation and Role: The 3909th Operations Squadron was activated to support the deployment, training, and operational capability of GLCM forces at Greenham Common, working closely with both US and UK military authorities.
• Protest and Peace Movement: The presence of nuclear missiles at Greenham Common sparked one of the largest and most sustained anti-nuclear protest movements in Europe, with the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp starting in 1981.
• Security Measures: Due to the highly sensitive nature of its mission, the squadron implemented rigorous security protocols, including fenced perimeters, patrols, and quick reaction forces to guard the missiles 24/7.
• INF Treaty Impact: The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, signed in 1987, led to the removal and destruction of all GLCMs at Greenham Common, marking the end of the squadron’s primary mission.
• International Collaboration: The 3909th worked closely with Royal Air Force personnel and British Ministry of Defence Police, symbolizing US-UK defense cooperation during tense Cold War years.
• Unique Unit Insignia: The squadron's insignia often featured symbols of strength and vigilance, such as eagles and lightning bolts, reflecting its strategic importance and rapid response capabilities.
• Deactivation and Legacy: After fulfilling its mission with the withdrawal of nuclear weapons, SAC-3909 Opns. Sqdn was deactivated. The legacy of the unit endures in military history, peace activism, and the eventual transformation of Greenham Common back to public use.
