The Triple Nickles are an important part of Oregon’s history

CAVE JUNCTION, Ore. – The elite paratrooper unit deployed on a secret mission in 1945. Dubbed Operation Firefly, the 555th “Triple Nickles” Parachute Infantry Battalion parachuted into forest fires in the Pacific Northwest caused by Japanese balloon bombs.

Their mission: disarm and destroy any unexploded incendiary devices – and keep it quiet.