VMM-164
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 | |
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MV-22B Osprey (2015–Present) |
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (VMM-164), is a United States Marine Corps tiltrotor squadron operating the MV-22B Osprey. Known as the Knightriders, they fall under the command Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW). They are based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton.
History
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 164 (HMM-164) was activated under LtCol. Herbert J. Blaha on 1 July 1964 at
Vietnam War
On 16 February 1966 the squadron was loaded aboard
On 3 April 1967 the squadron became the
On 3 March 1968 the squadron was assigned to SLF Bravo on USS Valley Forge.[4]: 719 On 16 June the squadron returned ashore.[4]: 719 In late August the squadron supported Operation Sussex Bay.[4]: 382 On 29 December the squadron was again assigned to SLF Bravo on USS Tripoli.[4]: 719
In January 1969 the squadron supported
In May 1971 the squadron was part of 31st Marine Amphibious Unit (31st MAU) on Amphibious Ready Group Alpha on USS New Orleans.[6]
On 11 April 1972 the squadron was reassigned to 33rd Marine Amphibious Unit (33rd MAU).[7]: 140 On 12 and 23 May the squadron operating from USS Okinawa transported South Vietnamese Marines in a series of raids known as Operation Song Than 5-72 and Operation Song Than 6-72 in defense of Battle of the Mỹ Chánh Line.[7]: 95–9 In late June the squadron again transported South Vietnamese forces in support of Operation Lam Son 72.[7]: 110
Throughout 1974 and into early 1975 squadron units were always assigned as a component of the 31st MAU on board Amphibious Ready Group Alpha ships. The assigned unit actually was a composite squadron, usually augmented by detachments of
In early April 1975 14 squadron CH-46Ds, HML-367(Reinforced) with 11 UH-1Es, HMA-369 (Reinforced) with 4 AH-1Js and H&MS-36 were embarked on
Post-Vietnam
With the advent of the
In June 1990, HMM-164 deployed to the
The squadron deployed in October 1992 with the
In June 1995, HMM-164 deployed as the
In February 1996, HMM-164 was called upon to support the
On 28 August 1997, HMM-164 (REIN) deployed again with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. During December 1997 and January 1998, the squadron's AV-8B Harrier IIs and KC-130 Hercules flew combat sorties in support of Operation Southern Watch over southern Iraq. HMM-164 (REIN) returned to MCAS El Toro on February 26, 1998, completing its final deployment before re-designation as a Fleet Replacement Squadron.
On 8 January 1999, HMM-164 relocated to MCAS Camp Pendleton, California as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) move and was attached to MAG-39 effective 11 January. In February 1999, the Squadron was re-designated HMMT-164 and was tasked to become the Marine Corps’ Fleet Replacement Squadron for the CH-46E.
During March 1999, the squadron deployed two aircraft to Moffett Federal Airfield to support Operation Urban Warrior and accept its first two student pilots. In May, the Marine Enlisted Aircrew Training Department accepted its first class of new enlisted aircrew. On 1 June 1999, the squadron took over the role as Model Manager and Fleet Project Team Manager for the CH-46E. Since 2000, HMMT-164 has trained over 360 new pilots and 460 crew chiefs.
On 28 June 2008, HMMT-164 deployed to Naval Air Station Lemoore after California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger requested military assistance to fight raging wildfires. The helicopters are providing medium lift rotary wing support to United States Northern Command and the National Fire Center.[10]
On 9 April 2015, HMMT-164 officially retired the CH-46E and transitioned to the MV-22B Osprey. As part of the transition, they became a fleet squadron rather than a training squadron and so were redesignated as VMM-164.
Global War On Terror
In the spring of 2018, VMM-164 deployed for the first time as an MV-22B Osprey squadron in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. They serve as one of the main means of transportation of VIPs, troops and cargo in the Area of Operations.
See also
- United States Marine Corps Aviation
- List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
- List of decommissioned United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
- Death Dealer - the Frank Frazetta painting that is the origin of the units mascot.
References
- This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7881-1818-0. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ .
- ^ .
- ^ .
- ^ .
- .
- ^ .
- ^ ISBN 978-0-16-026455-9. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Chronologies - 1982". usmcu.edu. United States Marine Corps History Division. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ Roach, Cpl. Brandon. "Wing aids firefighting efforts". Miramar News. United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 9 July 2008. [dead link]