This Week in 31st Fighter Wing History: The “Triple Nickel” activates in 1964
A 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D Panthom II deployed to Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. On Jan. 8, 1964, the 555 TFS was activated at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., and was the first Air Force unit outfitted with the F-4. In December 1964, the unit deployed in support of operations in Southeast Asia, and “Triple Nickel” jets represented the first Air Force F-4s in Vietnam. (Source: 31st Fighter Wing History Office/Photo courtesy of 31st Fighter Group)