The 555th Fighter Squadron was originally constituted as the 555th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 25 November 1942. It activated on 1 December 1942 at MacDill Field, FL, and wa assigned to the 386th Bombardment Group. It was redesignated as the 555th Bombardment Squadron, Medium, on 9 October 1944 and as the 555th Bombardment Squadron, Light, on 23 June 1945. Stationed at locations in England, France and Belgium, the squadron saw combat in ETO, from 30 July 1943-3 May 1945, flying the B-26 aircraft (1943-1945) and the A-26 (1945). It inactivated on 7 November 1945 at Westover Field, MA. The 555th FS reactivated on 1 April 1994 at Aviano AB, Italy. Assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing’s Operations Group, the squadron transitioned to the F-16. This patch is the standard Viper ‘swirl’ and says *NICKEL VIPER* (top), and *ONCE GREEN* (bottom). This patch was found in a Korean embroidery shop, it has the “theater-made” feel with the ‘cut’ edge, and comes with velcro already attached.
