Stephen Taylor

The 555th Fighter Squadron, known as the "Triple Nickel," was activated in 1942 and has a distinguished combat history spanning World War II, the Vietnam War, and modern conflicts. During Vietnam, the squadron earned acclaim for its air-to-air victories while flying the F-4 Phantom II. Over the decades, the 555th has operated a variety of fighter aircraft and played vital roles in NATO and U.S. Air Force operations, including missions in Operation Allied Force and Operation Inherent Resolve. Today, the squadron is based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon and continuing its legacy of excellence in air combat and multinational cooperation.