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by Aeromedia - corso Giambone 46/18 - 10135 Torino (Italy)
OPERATION ALLIED FORCE
555th Fighter Squadron
The "Triple Nickel" history began when the 555th Bombardment Squadron-Medium was constituted Nov.25, 1942. US Army Air Forces activated the 555th with Martin B-26 Marauder medium bombers Dec.1 of that year. The squadron received Douglas A-26 Invader aircraft in June 1945 and thus became the 555th Bombardment Squadron-Light.
As part of the 386th Bombardment Group, the Triple Nickel saw combat in Europe from bases in England, France and Belgium. The Nickel received the first of its four Presidential Unit Citations for combat in Europe from July 1943 through July 1944.
After temporary inactivation Nov.7, 1945, the Triple Nickel came back to life Jan.8, 1964, as the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron at MacDill AFB, Fla. It was the first operational squadron in the Air Force to fly the McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II. The Triple Nickel then deployed to Okinawa, Japan, and became a permanent unit there in late 1965.
The squadron returned to combat from Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, scoring its first two aerial victories April 23, 1966. One week later, the Nickel gained the distinction of being the first "Ace" squadron in Southeast Asia with six kills.
In June 1966, the 555th TFS moved to Ubon RTAFB joining the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing "Wolfpack". While stationed in Ubon, the Triple Nickel downed an additional 14 aircraft including four MiG-21s Jan.2, 1967. The Nickel was now the only "Quad ace" fighter squadron in this operational theatre, with twenty MiGs to its credit. Four months later the Triple Nickel became the first squadron in Southeast Asia to convert to F-4D.
In 1968 the Nickel returned to Udorn RTAFB as part of the 432nd Tactical Reconnaisance Wing and its aircrews participated in the interdiction campaign against the Ho Chi Min Trail until the Linebacker Campaigns against the North Vietnam hearthland in 1972. During Linebacker I and II, the Triple Nickel scored another twenty MiG kills. These victories brought the Nickel's total to fourty, producing the first and second USAF aces. The Triple Nickel was widely known as "the largest distributor of MiG parts in Southeast Asia".
In addition to air superiority achievements, the 555th became the first unit to fire AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles in combat and during spring and summer of 1973 the squadron was called upon to participate in the Cambodian bombing campaign. Following the cessation of US combat activities Aug.15, 1973, the Nickel reverted to training, concentrating on its primary air superiority role.
For combat operations in Southeast Asia, the 555th TFS was awarded three more Presidential Unit Citations, five Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with the combat "V" device, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the 1973 Hughes Achievement Award, better known as the Hughes Trophy.
As the leading air-to-air squadron, the Triple Nickel was a natural choice to be the first McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle squadron in the USAF. Returning to the continental US after a nine year absence, the 555th moved to Luke AFB, Arizona, in 1974 and was redesignated the 555th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron. On Nov.14, 1974, President Gerald Ford was present at Luke when the Nickel received the USAF's first operational F-15 Eagle.
The Triple Nickel trained the first "Eagle Drivers" for the US Air Force, the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force, the Israeli Air Force and the Royal Saudi Air Force, earning another Outstanding Unit Award.
The Nickel was honored again exactly 17 years later to the day, when upon the inactivation of the 550th Fighter Squadron it assumed training aircrews in the F-l5E Strike Eagle, the most advanced multi-role fighter in the world.
In 1994, USAFE transferred its 16th AF headquarters and the 4Olst Fighter Wing from Torrejon AB, Spain, to Aviano AB, Italy, where the 40lst transfomed into the 3lst Fighter Wing upon the closure of Homestead AFB, FL.
On April 1, 1994, the 555th Fighter Squadron transferred from Luke AFB, Ariz. to Aviano AB, Italy, distinguishing it as the first fighter USAF unit permanently assigned to Italy and the NATO European Southern Region since World War II. The move also highlighted the squadron's transfer to the multi-role F-l6C/D-40 equipped with Low Altituide Navigation Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) targeting pods for all-weather, precisio nian-Serbian command posts, ammunition depots, and an air base at Udbina, Croatia, which was performed by NATO's largest ever single strike package of 48 allied aircraft.
NATO's concentrated Operation Deliberate Force resulted in the largest sustained bombing effort since Deny Flight's inception. The Triple Nickel's participation during Delberate Force was significant, amassing 209 combat sorties while delivering 128 laser guided bombs with the highest bombs-on-target rate of any participating unit. The resounding success of this air campaign was the major contributing factor resulting in an ensuing peace accord and withdrawal of troops and equipment throughout the former Yugoslavia.
During this same period, the Triple Nickel added many "Firsts" to its list of accomplishments. Adding to its multi-role mission, the squadron gained an additional tasking by qualifying aircrews as Advanced Forward Air Controllers (AFAC). This distinguished the squadron as the first F-16 AFAC unit ever in the US Air Force and as the first operational F-16 unit to fire 2.75" rockets - both capabilities historically demonstrated in combat over Srebrenica on July 11, 1995. In addition, all pilots rotated through a stateside course to qualify on LANTIRN-targeted laser guided bomb (LGB) delivery, making the 555th USAFE's first LGB-capable F-16 unit, and the first F-16 unit to deliver LGBs in combat. To accomplish all necessary training, the squadron deployed to ranges throughout the world. Temporary Duties to Sigonella NAS (Sicily), Decimomannu (Sardinia), Tunisia, Eglin AFB (Fla.), Davis-Monthan AFB (Ariz.) and finally Nellis AFB, (Nev.) for Green Flag all added to the Nickel's newly acquired combat capabilities.
Combat-tested aircrews permeated the squadron during its first year in Italy, but from them emerged one as exemplary of the disciplined and well-trained warrior. On June 2, 1995, while on combat air patrol over Bosnia, Capt. Scott O'Grady was shot down by an SA-6 surface-to-air missile, his aircraft exploding and disappearing into the clouds before ejection could be confirmed. His fate unknown to allied forces, O'Grady evaded Serbian rebels for six days. He eventually contacted friendly forces and was rescued in hostile territory. His valor and dedication to duty characterize the spirit of all professional warriors who have been associated with the "World Famous, Highly Respected" 555th Squadron.
On Dec. 20, 1995, NATO ceased nearly 1,000 days of Operation Deny Flight, and while the 555th ended one mission over Bosnia-Hertzegovina, Operation Decisive Edge was initiated to support Operation Decisive Endeavor, providing close air support for NATO's overall Operation Joint Endeavor, an ongoing effort to maintain the region's cease fire and preserve the peace.
While involved in combat operations over the Balkans, the Triple Nickel continues its aggressive training schedule throughout the Mediterranean region. (update August 1996)
(Aeromedia, maggio 1999)