HMMT-164
5579815
224474485
2008-07-09T00:24:13Z
Looper5920
433748
/* Post-Vietnam through today */ fix name
{{Infobox Military Unit
|unit_name= Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron 164
|image=[[Image:HMMT164.gif|150px]]
|caption= HMM(T)-164 unit insignia
|dates= [[July 1]], [[1962]]–present
|country=[[United States]]
|allegiance=
|branch=[[United States Marine Corps|USMC]]
|type= [[Fleet Replacement Squadron]]
|role=[[Assault support]]
|size=
|command_structure= [[Marine Aircraft Group 39]]<br>[[3rd Marine Aircraft Wing]]
|current_commander=LtCol Matthew D. McEwen
|garrison= [[Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton]]
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|nickname= "Knightriders"<br>"Flying Death" (Vietnam)
|patron=
|motto=
|colors='''[[Tail Code|YT]]'''
|colors_label=Tail Code
|march=
|mascot=
|battles= '''[[Vietnam War]]'''<br>* [[Operation Eagle Pull]]<br>* [[Operation Frequent Wind]]<br>'''[[Operation Desert Storm]]'''<br>'''[[Operation Restore Hope]]'''
|notable_commanders=
|anniversaries=
}}
'''Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron 164''' (HMM(T)-164), is a [[United States Marine Corps]] helicopter training squadron stationed at [[Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton]]. Known as the '''Knightriders''', HMM(T)-164 is part of [[Marine Aircraft Group 39]] (MAG-39) and [[3rd Marine Aircraft Wing]] (3rd MAW).
==History==
=== Vietnam War ===
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 164 ('''HMM-164''') was activated on [[July 1]], [[1964]] at [[Marine Corps Air Station Santa Ana]], California as part of [[Marine Aircraft Group 36]]. In August 1965 the squadron transferred to [[Marine Wing Support Group 37]] at [[Marine Corps Air Station El Toro]], California. The squadron received the first [[CH-46 Sea Knight|CH-46 Sea Knights]] assigned to West Coast duty six months after activation<ref>{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| year =
| month =
| url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usmc/hmmt-164.htm
| title = Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron-164 [HMMT-164]
| format =
| work =
| pages =
| publisher = www.globalsecurity.org
| language =
| accessdate = December 17
| accessyear = 2007}}</ref>.
HMM-164 brought the first [[CH-46 Sea Knight]] helicopters into [[Vietnam]] when they landed at [[Marble Mountains (Vietnam)|Marble Mountain]] after transiting from the [[USS Oriskany (CV-34)]] in March of 1966<ref>{{cite web
| last = Sherman
| first = Stephen
| year =
| month =
| url = http://www.acepilots.com/usmc/hist17.html
| title = Vietnam
| format =
| work = History of Marine Corp Aviation
| pages =
| publisher = www.acepilots.com
| language = English
| accessdate = February 21
| accessyear = 2007}}</ref>. HMM-164 remained in Vietnam for a three and one-half years as part of [[Marine Aircraft Group 16]] (MAG-16). During their time in country they operated in and around the following areas: [[Quang Tri]], [[Dong Ha]], [[Khe Sanh]], [[Hue]], [[Phu Bai]] and off the decks of the [[USS Princeton (CV-37)]], the [[USS Tripoli (LPH-10)]] and the [[USS Valley Forge (CV-45)]]. While in Vietnam, HMM-164 supported US forces in all the major operations, most notably in Operation Meade River and [[Operation Hastings]].
In October 1969, the squadron left Vietnam and relocated to [[Okinawa]], [[Japan]] where it joined [[Marine Aircraft Group 15]] (MAG-15). From October 1969 through April 1972, it deployed with elements of the [[United States Seventh Fleet]] as part of a special landing force. HMM-164 supported combat and [[search and rescue]] operations off the coast of Vietnam until April [[1972]] when it deployed aboard the [[USS Okinawa]]. While aboard the Okinawa, HMM-164 continued to provide Joint Service combat support in Operation Song Than and [[Operation Lam Son 719]] until returning to [[Marine Corps Air Station Futenma]], Okinawa in [[1973]].
[[Image:Hmm164_insig.jpg|thumb|left|Squadron logo when they were HMM-164]]
After the withdraw of American forces from Vietnam and the squadron’s subsequent transfer to [[Marine Aircraft Group 39]] (MAG-39), HMM-164 participated in numerous peacetime operations aboard naval shipping traveling to [[Korea]], the [[Republic of the Philippines]], and Japan as well as many exercises in Okinawa.
A detachment from the squadron participated in the evacuation of Americans from [[Phnom Penh]], [[Cambodia]], on [[April 12]], [[1975]] as part of [[Operation Eagle Pull]]. On [[April 30]], [[1975]], an HMM-164 CH-46D crew lifted the last Americans out of Vietnam when they picked up the Marine combined security force during [[Operation Frequent Wind]]<ref>{{cite web
| last = Van Nortwick
| first = John
| year =
| month =
| url = http://www.popasmoke.com/chronology.html
| title = A Chronology Of Marine Helicopters In Vietnam 1962-1975
| format =
| work =
| pages =
| publisher = United States Marine Corps Combat Helicopter Association
| language = English
| accessdate = November 17
| accessyear = 2007}}</ref>.
=== Post-Vietnam through today ===
With the advent of the [[Unit Deployment Program]], on [[September 1]], [[1978]], HMM-164 returned home to MCAS Santa Ana, California. In September 1978, the squadron rejoined [[Marine Aircraft Group 36]] (MAG-36) at MCAS(H) Futenma for a six-month tour beginning in August of 1979 and returning to MCAS(H) Tustin in February 1980. On [[November 1]], [[1980]], HMM-164 became the first unit on the West Coast to receive the “E” model CH-46. By March 1981, the squadron had received its full complement of “Echos”. During the summer of 1989, the squadron simultaneously supported oil spill cleanup efforts in [[Valdez, Alaska]] and an Air Contingency Force at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras.
In June 1990, HMM-164 deployed to the [[Western Pacific]] with the [[13th Marine Expeditionary Unit]] (13th MEU) and provided support relief efforts following the [[1990 Luzon earthquake|July earthquake]] that devastated the [[Philippines]]. In August 1990 the squadron proceeded to [[Southwest Asia]] and participated in maritime interdiction operations during Operation Desert Shield and then provided combat support during [[Operation Desert Storm]] before returning to MCAS Tustin in April [[1991]].
The squadron deployed in October [[1992]] with the [[15th Marine Expeditionary Unit]] (15th MEU). The squadron provided support to Joint Task Force (Somalia) during [[Operation Restore Hope]] from December 1992 until February 1993. HMM-164 returned to MCAS Tustin in April 1993. August 1993 found the squadron providing support for units training at the [[Mountain Warfare Training Center]], [[Bridgeport]], California and provided a mission capabilities demonstration for the [[Secretary of the Navy]]. In August 1993, the Marine Corps Aviation Association chose HMM-164 as the Medium Helicopter Squadron of the year.
[[Image:CH-46_from_HMM-164_during_exercise_in_CA_in_1986.jpg|thumb|right|A CH-46 form HMM-164 during a training exercise in California in 1986.]]
June 1995, HMM-164 deployed as the [[Aviation Combat Element]] with the [[11th Marine Expeditionary Unit]] (11th MEU). During this time it provided support for the [[United States Central Command]] in [[Operation Vigilant Sentinel]] in [[Kuwait]] as well as [[Bahrain]], [[Qatar]], and [[United Arab Emirates]] before returning and relocating to MCAS El Toro, California in December 1995.
In February 1996, HMM-164 was called upon to support the [[Bill Clinton|President of the United States]] as he visited the [[Willamette Valley Flood of 1996|flood-ravaged areas]] around [[Portland, Oregon]].
On [[August 28]],[[1997]], HMM-164 (REIN) deployed again with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. During the month of December 1997 and January 1998, the squadron’s [[AV-8 Harrier II|AV-8B Harrier IIs]] and [[C-130 Hercules|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 [[January 8]], [[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 January 11. In February 1999, the Squadron was re-designed HMM(T)-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 [[June 1]], [[1999]], the squadron took over the role as Model Manager and Fleet Project Team Manager for the CH-46E. Since the beginning of the new millennium, HMM(T)-164 has trained over 360 new pilots and 460 crew chiefs.
On [[June 28]], [[2008]], HMMT-164 deployed to [[Naval Air Station Lemoore]] after California Governor [[Arnold Schwarzennegger]] requested military assistance to fight [[2008 California wildfires|raging wildfires]]. The helicopters are providing medium lift rotary wing support to [[United States Northern Command]] and the [[National Fire Center]].<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=2008-07-09
|url=http://www.miramar.usmc.mil/newspage67.htmOpenDocument
|title=Wing aids firefighting efforts
|author=Roach, Cpl. Brandon
|work=Miramar News
|id=
|publisher=United States Marine Corps}}</ref>.
== See also ==
{{portal|United States Marine Corps|USMC_logo.svg}}
* [[United States Marine Corps Aviation]]
* [[List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons]]
* [[List of inactive United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons]]
{{clear}}
== References ==
:{{Marine Corps}}
;Notes
{{reflist}}
;Bibliography
;Web
{{refbegin}}
* [http://www.3maw.usmc.mil/mag39/hmmt164/default.asp HMM(T)164's official website]
{{refend}}
[[Category:United States Marine Corps helicopter squadrons|*]]
{{US Marine Corps navbox}}