F-104C 56-0914 showing the new SEA camouflage scheme in 1966

USAF TAC F-104C:
The first F-104Cs began to reach the TAC in September of 1958. It served with four squadrons (434th, 435th, 436th, and 476th) of the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing based at George AFB
It was primarily intended for nuclear strike, but it could also carry out ground attack missions with conventional weapons.

In April of 1965, a single squadron of the 479th TFW, the 476th TFS deployed with their F-104Cs to DaNang Air Base in South Vietnam.
Their job was to fly MiG combat air patrol (MiGCAP) missions to protect American fighter bombers against attack by North Vietnamese fighters.
After four losses, the remnants of the 479th were rotated back to George AFB. However, a new contingent of F-104Cs returned to Vietnam in May of 1966.
This time, all four squadrons of the 479th TFW were involved and were assigned to the Udorn base in Thailand.
These F-104Cs were soon involved in air strikes against targets in both South and North Vietnam, changing its role of air superiority for that of ground attack.
The Starfighter took part in "Operation Bolo", which was a successful attempt to lure North Vietnamese fighters into combat.

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