The 480th's first Pacific-area commitment began in Dec 1965, when crews ferried five F-4Cs to Clark AB, Phillipines. By 14 Jan 1966, the 480th had become fully operational with F-4C aircraft, and on 1 Feb 1966 began deploying from Holloman to Da Nang Airport, South Vietnam.

From Feb 1966 until 20 Oct 1971 the 480th TFS flew a variety of combat mission in Southeast Asia, including air defense, direct air support, forward air control, interdiction, armed reconnaissance, combat air patrol, and escort for reconnaissance, bombardment, and rescue aircraft.

Between 26 Apr 1966 and 5 Jun 1967 the combat crews of the 480th shot down 9 MiG fighters (four Mig-17 and five MiG-21), including the first MiG-21 kill, first gun kill, and first kill by a Lieutenant aircraft commander in the entire Southeast Asian conflict.

Between Dec 1967 and Mar 1968 the 480th converted from F-4C to F-4D aircraft. The squadron deployed to Phu Cat AB, Vietnam, in 1969, under the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing. The 480th's last SEA combat mission was on 20 October 1971. The mission was against portions of the trail network in the tri-border area of South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia and consisted of four F-4Ds with 12 MK-82 LD bombs each. The 480th stood down after its final combat mission, and was inactivated on 17 Nov 1971.

480th TFS MiG Killers:

Maj Paul J. Gilmore and 1Lt William T. Smith (26 April 1966)
1Lt Ron G. Martin and 1Lt Richard N. Krieps (14 July 1966)
Capt William J. Swendner and 1Lt Duane A. Buttell, Jr. (14 July 1966)
Maj R. E. "Jim" Tuck and 1Lt J. J. Rabeni, Jr. (5 November 1966)
1Lt W. Joe Latham and 1Lt Klaus J. Klause (5 November 1966)

Maj Sam O. Bakke and Capt Robert W Lambert (14 May 1967)
Maj Jim A. Hargrove and 1Lt Steven H. DeMuth (14 May 1967)
Capt Jim T. Craig and 1Lt J. Terry Talley (14 May 1967)
Read more about these kills on this page:
May 14th, 1967 - The Day of the Gun

Maj Durwood K. Priester and Capt John E. Pankhurst (5 June 1967)

Additional 480th TFS members scored MiG Kills during the Vietnam conflict but were not assigned to the unit at the time of the achievement:

Richard S. Ritchie (5 MiG kills with the 555th TFS);
Fred W. Sheffler (1 MiG kill while assigned to the 336th TFS);
Barton P. Crews (1 MiG kill while assigned to the 13th TFS).
Eldon D. Binkley (1 MiG kill while assigned to the 555th TFS)

HONORS:

CAMPAIGN STREAMERS
Vietnam Air
Vietnam Air Offensive
Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II
Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III
Vietnam Air/Ground
Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV
TET 69/Counteroffensive
Southwest Monsoon
Commando Hunt V
Commando Hunt VI
Commando Hunt VII

PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATIONS

23 Apr - 1 Aug 1967
8 Feb - 8 Apr 1971

AF OUTSTANDING UNIT AWARDS WITH COMBAT "V" DEVICE

5 Feb 1966 - 31 Mar 1967
1 Apr 1967 - 31 Mar 1968
1 Apr 1968 - 31 Jul 1969
1 Apr 1969 - 31 Mar 1970
1 Apr 1970 - 21 Oct 1971.

COMMANDERS:

LtCol Leland W. Dawson, 24 Jun 1966.
LtCol George H. Sylvester, 8 Oct 1966.
LtCol Robert B. Tanguy, 26 Dec 1966.
LtCol John W. Armstrong, circa Jun 1967.
LtCol Robert F. Brockman, 10 Nov 1967.
LtCol Donald R. D'Amico, 28 May 1968.
LtCol Edwin J. Scarff, 30 Oct 1968.
LtCol David W. Shoup, 1 Apr 1969.
LtCol Jack E. Shepard, 4 Dec 1969.
LtCol Kenneth D. Burns, 4 Mar 1970.
LtCol Robert B. Kendall, 23 Apr 1970.
LtCol William C. Thomas, 12 Oct 1970.
LtCol John S. Garrett, 17 Feb 1971.
LtCol Charles J. Cunningham Jr., 17 Jun - 17 Nov 1971.

RECOMMENDED READING:

May 14th, 1967 - The Day of the Gun