VMM-161

VMM-161, formally Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, is an active United States Marine Corps aviation unit known as the Greyhawks. Based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, the squadron is assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16 within the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Its stated mission is to provide assault-support transport for combat troops, supplies, equipment and casualties during expeditionary, joint and combined operations, while remaining ready for short-notice worldwide employment in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations. The unit was established on 15 January 1951 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro as Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 161, or HMR-161. It became one of the earliest dedicated helicopter transport formations in the world and developed a long association with the phrase “The First, The Best.” After initial training on the Sikorsky HRS-1, the squadron deployed to Korea in 1951 and supported Marine operations on the central and western fronts. During the Korean War it flew thousands of sorties, moved tens of thousands of personnel and transported millions of pounds of cargo. In September 1952, it took part in Operation Marlex-5 near Inchon, demonstrating the use of shipborne helicopters in support of amphibious assault on foreign shores. Following the Korean War, the squadron defended the Korean Demilitarized Zone before relocating to Hawaii in 1955. It received successive designations as aircraft and organizational roles changed, becoming HMR(L)-161 in 1956 and HMM-161 in 1962. During the early 1960s it transitioned to the Sikorsky H-34 and supported a range of training, recovery and experimental activities. In October 1962, it helped recover astronaut Wally Schirra and the Sigma 7 Mercury spacecraft from the Pacific Ocean. The squadron also participated in biological-warfare test activities later associated with Project SHAD, an aspect of its history that has attracted subsequent historical scrutiny. HMM-161 served extensively in the Vietnam War. It deployed from Hawaii in 1965, supported the landing of Marine forces at Chu Lai, and operated from several bases in South Vietnam, including Phu Bai and Da Nang. The squadron later transitioned to the CH-46 Sea Knight and returned repeatedly to Vietnam between 1966 and 1969. Its wartime service included combat assault support and medical evacuation. In September 1966, one of its UH-34D helicopters was destroyed by friendly artillery fire during a medical-evacuation mission, killing all five Marines aboard. The squadron continued to support Marine Corps operations after Vietnam, including disaster-response work during the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil-spill cleanup. It deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990–1991, participated in Operation United Shield during the 1995 withdrawal of United Nations forces from Somalia, and supported Operation Southern Watch during a 1997 deployment with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. In 1999, it moved from El Toro to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. During the post-2001 period, the Greyhawks conducted humanitarian assistance in East Timor and supported Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Its Iraq deployments included tactical recovery readiness, casualty evacuation, assault support and general transport. During Operation Iraqi Freedom II in 2004, the squadron recorded hundreds of consecutive mission launches and transported passengers, cargo and urgent-care patients. Subsequent Iraq deployments involved continuous casualty evacuation, assault-support missions and raids in Al Anbar Province. The unit also recorded major CH-46 safety milestones before that aircraft was retired from Marine Corps service. In December 2009, HMM-161 became the first West Coast Marine medium-helicopter squadron to transition to the MV-22 Osprey and was redesignated VMM-161. It achieved full operational capability in April 2011. In July 2012, the Greyhawks deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, marking the squadron’s first combat deployment with the Osprey. During that deployment it flew more than 2,200 hours and supported over 100 named operations without a reported mishap. VMM-161 remains an operational Marine Corps assault-support squadron rather than a commercial brand, and its public identity is principally associated with military service, aviation heritage, expeditionary readiness and the Greyhawks insignia.

VMM-161 traces its lineage to 15 January 1951, when Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 161 was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. The squadron moved shortly afterward to Marine Corps Air Facility Santa Ana for training on the Sikorsky HRS-1. It deployed to Korea in August 1951 and became associated with the Marine Corps’ early development of helicopterborne assault support. During the Korean War, it operated with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and flew extensive troop and cargo missions. In September 1952, its participation in Operation Marlex-5 off Inchon helped demonstrate the foreign-shore application of shipborne helicopter transport in an amphibious setting. The unit later supported the defense of the Korean Demilitarized Zone before moving to Hawaii in 1955. The squadron underwent several redesignations as its equipment and mission classifications evolved. It became HMR(L)-161 in 1956 and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161, or HMM-161, in 1962. In 1960 it received the Sikorsky H-34, and in October 1962 it helped recover astronaut Wally Schirra and the Sigma 7 spacecraft. During the early 1960s it also took part in biological-warfare testing activities later identified with Project SHAD. The unit subsequently prepared for operations in Southeast Asia. HMM-161 deployed to Vietnam in 1965. It supported Marine landings at Chu Lai and operated from the USS Iwo Jima before moving ashore and serving from bases including Phu Bai and Da Nang. In 1966 it transitioned toward the Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight, while continuing repeated combat deployments. One of its UH-34D aircraft was destroyed by friendly artillery fire during a medical-evacuation mission on 25 September 1966, killing all five Marines aboard. The squadron’s Vietnam service continued through deployments in 1968 and 1969. After returning to the United States in 1970, the squadron remained part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing structure and continued expeditionary training and operational support. Its post-Vietnam activities included participation in the 1989 response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. In 1990 it deployed to Saudi Arabia for Desert Shield and Desert Storm. It later supported the withdrawal of United Nations forces from Somalia during Operation United Shield and deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 1997, including missions connected with Operation Southern Watch. The unit moved from El Toro to Miramar in 1999. The Greyhawks entered the twenty-first century with a record of operational and safety recognition, including the 2001 Edward C. Dyer Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron of the Year award. A 2000 Western Pacific deployment included humanitarian assistance in East Timor. The squadron then supported operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, including tactical recovery readiness, casualty evacuation, assault support, passenger movement and cargo transport. Its 2004 Iraq deployment produced hundreds of consecutive mission launches and the movement of thousands of passengers and urgent-care patients. A later Iraq deployment in 2005–2006 included more than 5,000 combat flight hours, casualty evacuation for over 2,100 wounded personnel and numerous assault-support missions. The unit returned for another Iraq deployment in 2007. The squadron’s CH-46 era was marked by significant mishap-free flight-hour achievements, including a reported total exceeding 58,000 Class A mishap-free hours by the end of its 2007 deployment. As the Marine Corps replaced the CH-46E with the MV-22, HMM-161 began its transition in December 2009 and was redesignated Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, or VMM-161. It completed Osprey operational training and became fully combat-ready in April 2011. In July 2012, VMM-161 deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During that deployment it flew more than 2,200 hours, supported over 100 named operations and returned to Miramar in January 2013 without a reported mishap. The squadron continues to operate as an MV-22 assault-support unit within Marine Aircraft Group 16 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

• 2012

  First Osprey combat deployment

  [1]VMM-161en.wikipedia.org

  VMM-161 deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

• 2011

  Full MV-22 operational capability

  [1]VMM-161en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron completed Osprey training and became fully combat-ready.

• 2009

  Transition to MV-22

  [1]VMM-161en.wikipedia.org

  HMM-161 began conversion from the CH-46E to the MV-22 Osprey and received the VMM-161 designation.

• 2004

  Operation Iraqi Freedom II support

  [1]VMM-161en.wikipedia.org

  The Greyhawks conducted sustained assault-support and casualty-evacuation missions in Iraq.

• 1999

  Relocation to MCAS Miramar

  [1]VMM-161en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron moved from Marine Corps Air Station El Toro to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

• 1995

  Operation United Shield

  [1]VMM-161en.wikipedia.org

  The unit supported the withdrawal of United Nations forces from Somalia.

• 1990

  Desert Shield deployment

  [1]VMM-161en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron deployed to Saudi Arabia and subsequently supported Desert Storm.

• 1989

  Exxon Valdez response

  [1]VMM-161en.wikipedia.org

  Squadron elements participated in cleanup and support activities following the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

• 1965

  Vietnam deployment

  [1]VMM-161en.wikipedia.org

  HMM-161 deployed to Vietnam and supported Marine operations at Chu Lai and other bases.

• 1962

  Redesignated HMM-161

  [1]VMM-161en.wikipedia.org

  The unit became Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161.

• 1962

  Mercury spacecraft recovery

  [1]VMM-161en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron assisted in recovering astronaut Wally Schirra and the Sigma 7 capsule from the Pacific.

• 1956

  Redesignated HMR(L)-161

  [1]VMM-161en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron received the Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron (Light) designation.

• 1952

  Operation Marlex-5

  [1]VMM-161en.wikipedia.org

  The unit participated in a ship-to-shore helicopter assault-support demonstration near Inchon.

• 1951

  Squadron commissioned as HMR-161

  [1]VMM-161en.wikipedia.org

  Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 161 was established at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, on 15 January.

• 1951

  Deployment to Korea

  [1]VMM-161en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron deployed to South Korea and began helicopter transport support for Marine operations.

A Marine Corps assault-support aviation unit positioned around rapid, long-range and flexible expeditionary transport, with a distinctive heritage as an early helicopter transport squadron and an early adopter of the MV-22 Osprey.

• Military tiltrotor aircraft · 2009

  MV-22B Osprey

  The MV-22B Osprey is the squadron’s current primary aircraft. Its nacelle-mounted engines allow it to operate as a helicopter for vertical takeoff, landing and assault support while converting to a turboprop-like configuration for faster and longer-range transit. VMM-161 uses the aircraft to move Marines, cargo and equipment, support casualty evacuation, and contribute to expeditionary operations.

• Medium-lift military helicopter · 1966

  CH-46E Sea Knight

  The CH-46E Sea Knight was the squadron’s principal medium-lift helicopter during much of its later Cold War and post-Cold War history. It supported troop movement, cargo transport, casualty evacuation and assault operations, including multiple deployments to Iraq. The aircraft was replaced as the squadron transitioned to the MV-22.

• Early Marine transport helicopters · 1951

  Sikorsky HRS-1 and H-34

  The HRS-1 provided the squadron’s initial helicopter capability during its formation and Korean War service. The Sikorsky H-34, received in 1960, subsequently supported medium-lift transport, assault and evacuation missions before later aircraft types replaced it.

• 1963

  Participation in Project SHAD-related testing

  The squadron participated in biological-warfare test activities in Hawaii and nearby Pacific waters that were later associated with Project SHAD. The historical record has prompted scrutiny concerning the nature of the tests and the exposure of participating service members.

  Source

Read more

• 2012Operation Enduring Freedom

  Afghanistan

  VMM-161 deployed with MV-22 Ospreys to provide expeditionary assault support, transport and related aviation missions.

  Outcome. The squadron flew more than 2,200 hours, supported over 100 named operations and returned in January 2013 without a reported mishap.

  Source
• 2007Fourth Iraq deployment

  Iraq

  HMM-161 resumed casualty-evacuation and general-support duties at Al Taqaddum.

  Outcome. The squadron returned to California in September 2007 after recording more than 58,000 Class A mishap-free flight hours in the CH-46 era.

  Source
• 2005Third Iraq deployment

  Iraq

  The Greyhawks provided around-the-clock casualty evacuation and assault support in Al Anbar Province.

  Outcome. The squadron flew thousands of combat hours, evacuated wounded personnel and completed assault-support missions without reported enemy damage to its aircraft.

  Source
• 2004Operation Iraqi Freedom II

  Iraq

  The squadron operated from Al Taqaddum in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force, conducting repeated transport, casualty-evacuation and assault-support missions.

  Outcome. It recorded 752 consecutive mission launches, moved cargo and passengers, and transported urgent-care patients before redeploying in September 2004.

  Source
• 2003Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom

  Iraq · Western Pacific

  HMM-161 deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and performed tactical recovery readiness, casualty evacuation and general support missions.

  Outcome. The squadron returned to Miramar in July 2003 after supporting coalition operations.

  Source
• 2000East Timor humanitarian assistance

  East Timor

  During a Western Pacific deployment, the Greyhawks provided humanitarian assistance in East Timor.

  Outcome. The squadron contributed transport and aviation support to the relief effort.

  Source
• 1995Operation United Shield

  Somalia

  HMM-161 supported the withdrawal of United Nations forces from Somalia.

  Outcome. The operation completed the planned extraction of United Nations personnel and equipment.

  Source
• 1990Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm

  Saudi Arabia · Kuwait

  The squadron deployed to the Arabian Peninsula as part of Marine aviation forces supporting the defense of Saudi Arabia and the liberation of Kuwait.

  Outcome. The Greyhawks supported coalition operations during the Gulf War.

  Source
• 1989Exxon Valdez oil-spill response

  Alaska, United States

  Squadron elements assisted with cleanup and support activities in Prince William Sound after the Exxon Valdez spill.

  Outcome. The unit contributed aviation and logistical support to the response.

  Source
• 1965Vietnam War

  South Vietnam · Okinawa

  HMM-161 supported Marine landings, assault transport and casualty evacuation from Chu Lai, Phu Bai, Da Nang and other operating locations.

  Outcome. The squadron completed multiple Vietnam deployments through 1969.

  Source

Showing the 10 most recent.

• 2009

  Conversion from CH-46E to MV-22BGeneration change

  Background

  The Marine Corps was replacing its aging CH-46E medium-lift helicopter fleet with the faster and longer-range MV-22 tiltrotor.

  Action taken

  HMM-161 began Osprey conversion and was redesignated Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, or VMM-161.

  Aftermath

  The squadron reached full MV-22 operational capability in April 2011 and deployed the aircraft in combat in Afghanistan in 2012.

  Source

• 1962

  Transition to the medium-helicopter roleStrategy

  Background

  The Marine Corps reorganized helicopter units and aligned the squadron with a medium-lift mission.

  Action taken

  HMR(L)-161 became Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161, or HMM-161.

  Aftermath

  The new designation remained in use through the CH-46 era and the squadron’s Iraq deployments.

  Source

• 1956

  Adoption of the light transport designationStrategy

  Background

  Changes in Marine helicopter organization and mission classification led the squadron to receive a light transport designation.

  Action taken

  The unit was redesignated HMR(L)-161.

  Aftermath

  It continued serving as a Marine helicopter transport formation in the Pacific.

  Source

1. 1VMM-161en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Marine Aircraft Group 16 official unit page3rdmaw.marines.mil