On 9 July , during their fifth line period , LCDR John B. Nichols '' Ticonderoga `` first MiG - Kill claimed . On 9 July , during her fifth line period , LCDR John B. Nichols claimed `` Ticonderoga '' s first MiG kill . On 9th July , during her first line period , LCDR John B. Nichols claimed `` Ticonderoga 's '' fifth MiG kill .