Triple Nickle Remembrance Run
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Event Overview
The Triple Nickle Remembrance Run is an event dedicated to honoring the legacy of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, known as the Triple Nickle. The 555th was the first all-Black airborne unit in U.S. military history, formed in 1943. The event is presented by the Tau Gamma Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. This is the second edition of the run. It is open to the general public, including military personnel and civilians.
Course and Participation
The event features a 5.55-mile run along Fort Bragg's Liberty Trail. The start and finish area is on Watson Street, near the Fort Bragg Fair Grounds and Central Issue Facility. There is also a virtual option for the 5.55-mile run. Participants have 2.5 hours to complete the race. Walkers and participants with strollers are welcome.
Historical Significance
The run commemorates the battalion's role in integrating airborne operations. Although trained at Fort Benning and Fort Bragg, the unit was not deployed overseas due to segregation policies. In 1945, they were assigned to Operation Firefly, where they partnered with the U.S. Forest Service to combat wildfires as smokejumpers, completing over 1,200 jumps. The battalion was later absorbed into the 82nd Airborne Division.
Event Details
All registered participants receive a shirt and a finisher's medal. A visitor pass may be required for access to Fort Bragg and can be obtained from the All American Gate Visitor Center at no additional charge. The event is professionally timed by Run The East, LLC. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
