 As the Vietnam War escalated, the squadron completed seven consecutive combat deployments to Southeast Asia, commencing with a cruise aboard in 1962.On 1 December 1963, the squadron flew its first sorties in support of Yankee Team Operations, armed escort for photo-reconnaissance missions over Laos.On 7 February 1965, following a Viet Cong attack against American advisors in South Vietnam, President Lyndon Johnson ordered a reprisal strike against North Vietnam, named Flaming Dart I.