VMM-163
VMM-163 is a United States Marine Corps medium tiltrotor squadron operating MV-22 Osprey aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163, commonly designated VMM-163 and known as the “Evil Eyes,” is a United States Marine Corps aviation squadron assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16 within the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, and operates MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. Its principal mission is assault-support transport: moving Marine combat troops, equipment, supplies and other personnel during expeditionary, joint or combined operations. The unit is also expected to remain ready for short-notice deployment worldwide in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations. The squadron was established on 1 December 1951 at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Ana as Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 163, or HMR-163. Its early identity was shaped by disaster-relief and mobility missions in the western Pacific. In 1953, following Typhoon Tess, its aircraft conducted humanitarian operations in the mountainous Hanshin area of Japan. Those missions gave the unit its first enduring nickname, the “Ridge Runners.” The squadron also supported the movement of Vietnamese refugees during Operation Passage to Freedom in 1954. Its designation and aircraft changed repeatedly as Marine Corps aviation evolved. It became HMR(L)-163 in 1956 and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163, or HMM-163, in 1962. During the Vietnam War it flew UH-34 operations from South Vietnam, first under Operation Shufly and later in support of Marine and allied combat operations. The squadron participated in operations including Starlite, Dagger Thrust, New York, Oregon, Texas and Virginia. Its Vietnam service involved troop assaults, resupply, evacuation and search-and-rescue missions, often under intense ground fire. The unit suffered fatalities in crashes and combat losses, and its aircraft sustained extensive damage during the 1966 battle for the A Shau Valley. The “Evil Eyes” identity originated in late 1965, when eyes were painted on the noses of the squadron’s aircraft. The design was proposed by intelligence officer Captain Al Barbes, who believed that the imagery might have a psychological effect on opponents. Initially referred to as “Genie Eyes,” after the television program I Dream of Jeannie, the markings were soon called “Evil Eyes” by supported ground units. Although senior officers questioned the unauthorized paint scheme, the name and imagery survived and became central to the squadron’s identity. The squadron formally adopted “Evil Eyes” as its official moniker in 2015. After the Vietnam period, VMM-163 continued to serve as an aviation combat element for Marine Expeditionary Units with special-operations capability. During the 1990s it deployed across the Pacific and to areas stretching from the Horn of Africa to the Persian Gulf, participating in operations such as Fiery Vigil, Continue Hope, Distant Runner, Quick Draw, Desert Strike and Resolute Response. In 2001, while deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the squadron supported Operation Enduring Freedom and helped execute a long-range amphibious assault that established a forward operating base in southern Afghanistan. In 2003–2004, it deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit as part of the first Expeditionary Strike Group One and supported security operations in Basrah during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Today, the VMM-163 designation reflects the squadron’s transition from conventional Marine helicopters to the MV-22 Osprey, a platform combining vertical takeoff and landing with significantly greater range and speed than earlier transports. The squadron remains a deployable Marine aviation unit rather than a commercial brand, with its public identity expressed through its insignia, aircraft markings, lineage, awards and operational record.
History
VMM-163 traces its lineage to Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 163, commissioned on 1 December 1951 at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Ana, California. In March 1952 it joined Marine Aircraft Group 16 at Marine Corps Air Facility Futema, Okinawa. The squadron’s early deployments established its reputation for both mobility and humanitarian assistance. In September 1953 it sailed aboard USS Bataan for Japan, where it conducted relief missions around Hanshin after Typhoon Tess. The difficult mountainous terrain associated with those missions led to the nickname “Ridge Runners.” In 1954, a detachment supported Operation Passage to Freedom, helping relocate Vietnamese refugees and transporting evacuees to a medical clinic north of the 17th parallel. The unit was redesignated Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron (Light) 163 in December 1956. It returned to the United States in 1959 and was reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 36 at Santa Ana, subsequently undertaking another Okinawa deployment. On 1 February 1962 it became Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163, HMM-163, and later that year deployed to South Vietnam. In July 1962 it replaced HMM-362 as the Operation Shufly squadron at Sóc Trăng, then moved with supporting elements to Da Nang. During this first Vietnam deployment its crews flew thousands of hours and carried large numbers of combat troops and other passengers. A search-and-rescue aircraft crash in October 1962 killed five Marines and two Navy corpsmen. HMM-163 returned to South Vietnam in February 1965, replacing HMM-365 at Da Nang. It supported the arrival of the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade at Red Beach and participated in operations involving Marine and Army of the Republic of Vietnam forces. The squadron later joined the Special Landing Force aboard USS Iwo Jima and supported Operation Starlite and Operation Dagger Thrust. Combat losses included a UH-34 shot down during an operation south of Da Nang, killing two Marines. The squadron’s most recognizable visual identity emerged after it relocated to Okinawa in late 1965. Captain Al Barbes, the intelligence officer, proposed painting eyes on the front of the unit’s helicopters. The imagery was intended to unsettle opposing forces and was influenced by regional cultural beliefs. The markings were first called “Genie Eyes,” but supported ground troops soon used “Evil Eyes.” When the squadron returned to Phu Bai in January 1966, the aircraft carried the black-and-white eye design. Although a senior Marine aviation commander initially objected to the unofficial paint scheme, the identity was retained. In 1966 the squadron flew intensive combat missions in northern South Vietnam. During the battle for the A Shau Valley, it accumulated more than 2,000 flight hours in ten days while extracting approximately 190 survivors under heavy anti-aircraft fire. Most of its assigned aircraft suffered major damage, and two were shot down. The unit also supported Operations New York, Oregon, Texas and Virginia. In one operation, an aircraft was destroyed by anti-aircraft fire, killing its crew and embarked Marines. In 1967 the squadron served as the helicopter element of Special Landing Force Alpha aboard USS Okinawa and later joined Marine Aircraft Group 36 at Quang Tri. It supported fighting near the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone in early 1968 before returning to the United States later that year. During the 1990s, HMM-163 served as the aviation combat element for five special-operations-capable Marine Expeditionary Units. Its deployments covered the Pacific, the Horn of Africa and the Persian Gulf. The squadron participated in Fiery Vigil in 1991, Continue Hope, Distant Runner and Quick Draw in 1994, Desert Strike in 1996, and Resolute Response in 1998. These missions demonstrated the unit’s continuing role in expeditionary transport beyond conventional battlefield assault. In 2001, the squadron deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. A detachment of CH-53E helicopters had been attached before deployment, giving the aviation combat element a heavy-lift capability. The squadron helped plan and execute a long-range amphibious assault that established a forward operating base in southern Afghanistan, then operated from the austere location for approximately seven weeks in support of Task Force 58 and coalition special-operations forces. From August 2003 through March 2004, the squadron deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. It was part of Expeditionary Strike Group One, an early implementation of a naval formation intended to combine amphibious forces with surface and submarine capabilities. During the deployment, the squadron supported security operations in Basrah, Iraq, in connection with Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit later transitioned to the MV-22 Osprey and received the VMM-163 designation associated with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadrons. Based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, it continues to provide assault-support transport and expeditionary aviation capability. In 2015, “Evil Eyes” became the squadron’s officially adopted moniker, formalizing an identity that had developed from Vietnam-era aircraft markings.
- 2015
Evil Eyes officially adopted
[1]The squadron formally adopted the Evil Eyes moniker, which had been used informally since the Vietnam War.
- 2003
Expeditionary Strike Group One deployment
[1]The squadron deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and supported operations in Iraq.
- 2001
Operation Enduring Freedom deployment
[1]The squadron supported the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Afghanistan, including the seizure of a forward operating base.
- 1966
A Shau Valley operations
[1]The squadron conducted intensive evacuation and assault-support flying during the battle for the A Shau Valley.
- 1965
Eyes painted on aircraft
[1]The squadron began developing the eye imagery that later became associated with the Evil Eyes identity.
- 1962
Redesignated HMM-163
[1]The unit became Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 and deployed to Vietnam later that year.
- 1954
Operation Passage to Freedom support
[1]A squadron detachment helped relocate Vietnamese refugees during Operation Passage to Freedom.
- 1953
Typhoon Tess relief missions
[1]The squadron conducted humanitarian relief operations in the Hanshin area of Japan after Typhoon Tess, leading to the Ridge Runners nickname.
- 1951
Squadron commissioned
[1]Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 163 was commissioned on 1 December at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Ana, California.
Products and positioning
A rapidly deployable Marine Corps assault-support aviation squadron combining vertical-lift access with the range and speed of the MV-22 Osprey.
Tiltrotor aircraft
MV-22 Osprey
The MV-22 Osprey is the squadron’s current assault-support aircraft. Its tiltrotor configuration allows vertical takeoff and landing while providing greater speed and range than conventional helicopters, making it suitable for transporting Marine personnel and equipment over expeditionary distances.
Medium transport helicopter
UH-34D Seahorse
The UH-34 was the principal helicopter associated with the squadron’s Vietnam-era operations. HMM-163 used the type for troop transport, combat assault, resupply, evacuation and search-and-rescue missions, including demanding operations in northern South Vietnam.
Heavy-lift helicopter
CH-53E Super Stallion detachment
CH-53E aircraft were attached to the squadron before its 2001 deployment with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Their heavy-lift and aerial-refueling capabilities supported long-range operations in Afghanistan.
Marketing campaigns
- 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraq
Deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the squadron supported security operations in Basrah as part of Expeditionary Strike Group One.
Outcome. The deployment extended the squadron’s expeditionary role into post-invasion Iraq.
- 2001Operation Enduring Freedom
Afghanistan
While deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the squadron supported Task Force 58 and coalition special-operations forces, including a long-range amphibious assault to establish a forward operating base.
Outcome. The unit operated forward for roughly seven weeks from an austere base in southern Afghanistan.
- 1966Battle of the A Shau Valley
South Vietnam
The squadron flew intensive rescue and extraction missions during the attack on the A Shau Special Forces camp, operating under heavy anti-aircraft fire.
Outcome. Approximately 190 survivors were rescued, while most assigned aircraft sustained major damage.
- 1965Operation Starlite
South Vietnam
After joining the Special Landing Force aboard USS Iwo Jima, the squadron provided helicopter support for the landing of 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines.
Outcome. The squadron supported a major early Marine offensive in Vietnam.
- 1962Operation Shufly
South Vietnam
HMM-163 operated from Sóc Trăng and Da Nang, transporting combat troops, passengers and supplies for South Vietnamese and U.S. operations.
Outcome. During the deployment, crews flew 10,869 hours and carried more than 25,000 combat assault troops.
- 1954Operation Passage to Freedom
Vietnam
A three-helicopter detachment supported the relocation of Vietnamese refugees and transported people to a medical clinic north of the 17th parallel.
Outcome. The squadron contributed aviation support to a major refugee-relocation effort.
- 1953Typhoon Tess relief operations
Japan
The squadron flew humanitarian relief missions in the mountainous Hanshin area after Typhoon Tess, helping establish its Ridge Runners identity.
Outcome. The operation contributed to the squadron’s first enduring nickname and demonstrated its disaster-relief role.
Brand decisions
2015
Formal adoption of the Evil Eyes monikerStrategyBackground
The Evil Eyes name had been used by supported ground units since the squadron’s Vietnam service.
Action taken
The squadron officially adopted Evil Eyes as its moniker.
Aftermath
The formal name consolidated the squadron’s longstanding visual and historical identity.
1965
Introduction of the eye aircraft markingsOtherBackground
The squadron’s intelligence officer proposed painting eyes on aircraft in the belief that the imagery could have a psychological effect on opposing forces.
Action taken
The unit applied black-and-white eye designs to its helicopters during its Vietnam-era deployment.
Aftermath
Despite initial objections from a senior commander over the unofficial paint scheme, the markings became the basis of the Evil Eyes identity.
Recent events
- 2015
VMM-163 formally adopts the Evil Eyes moniker[1]
Other
The squadron formally adopted “Evil Eyes,” a nickname derived from eye markings painted on its aircraft during the Vietnam War era.
- 2003
VMM-163 deploys with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit[1]
Other
The squadron deployed from August 2003 to March 2004 as part of Expeditionary Strike Group One and supported security operations in Basrah during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
- 2001
VMM-163 supports Operation Enduring Freedom[1]
Other
While deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the squadron supported combat operations in Afghanistan and the establishment of a forward operating base in southern Afghanistan.
Sources2 sources
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