Thor IRBM Basing Strategy
United States defense planners originally envisioned deploying Thor in Europe. In June 1958 the Air Force also began making plans to place a Thor squadron in the vicinity of Fairbanks, Alaska, but the idea never went beyond the design stage.
The United States first broached the idea of placing long-range missiles in Britain in February 1955. The British were receptive to the idea, and in early 1957 the Departments of State and Defense began negotiations to establish IRBM bases in Great Britain. Although SAC wanted to keep the missiles under its control, the British were anxious that at least some of the missiles be operated by the RAF. Under the terms of the final agreement, signed in February 1958, all of the Thor missiles deployed in Great Britain would be operated by the RAF, but the warheads would remain under American control.
| Unit | Base | Operational |
| 77 RAE SMS | Feltwell, England | Jun 1959-Aug 1963 |
| 97 RAF SMS | Hemswell, England | Sep 1959-Aug 1963 |
| 98 RAF SMS | Driffield, England | Nov 1959-Aug 1963 |
| 144 RAE SMS | North Luffenham, England | Apr 1960-Aug 1963 |