In 1968 the Nickel returned to Udorn RTAFB as part of the 432nd Tactical Reconnaisance Wing (the Squadron tail-code was changed in "OY") 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.

DATE

ENEMY

WEAPON

CREW & POSITION

02/21/72

MiG-21

Maj. R. Lodge
1Lt. R. Locher

03/01/72

MiG-21

05/08/72

MiG-21

05/10/72

MiG-21

05/10/72

MiG-21

05/10/72

MiG-21

05/12/72

MiG-19

05/31/72

MiG-21

06/08/72

MiG-21

06/08/72

MiG-21

08/28/72

MiG-21

09/09/72

MiG-21

09/09/72

MiG-19

09/09/72

MiG-19

09/16/72

MiG-21

10/12/72

MiG-21

12/21/72

MiG-21

12/22/72

MiG-21

12/28/72

MiG-21