Today in History – April 16, 1961 – F-100 first combat jet to enter Vietnam War.

On 16 April 1961, six Super Sabres were deployed from Clark Air Base in the Philippines to Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand for air defense purposes; the first F-100s to enter combat in Southeast Asia.[18] From that date until their redeployment in 1971, the F-100s were the longest-serving U.S. jet fighter-bomber to fight in the Vietnam War. Serving as MiG combat air patrol escorts for F-105 Thunderchiefs, Misty FACs, and Wild Weasels over North Vietnam, and then relegated to close air support and ground attacks within South Vietnam.

Source: Wikipedia

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