In August 1953, the North American F-86F Sabre was introduced to the wing, replacing the F-84s. On 31 March 1954, The 1st Pilotless Bomber Squadron, equipped with the Martom B-61A Matador, was attached to the 36th Fighter Bomber Wing, making it the first operational U.S. missile unit. The 1st eventually was renamed a Tactical Missile Squadron, and in 1958 was replaced by the 71st Tactical Missile Squadron and the unit was assigned to the 701st Tactical Missile Wing, headquartered at Hahn Air Base, although the squadron remained at Bitburg.