Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-163 [HMM-163]
HMR(L)-163, the predecessor of HMM-163 (Rein), was formed on 1 December 1951 and assigned to the Air Fleet Marine Force Pacific. Since that date, the men and machines of the squadron have flown continuously in support of United States and allied operations
throughout the Pacific theater.
After completing its initial training in the mountains of Southern California, the squadron deployed during August of 1953 to Hanshin, Japan and flew in support of the Korean conflict. The squadron nickname, "Ridge Runners" was bestowed as a result of a rescue operation conducted in inclement weather and mountainous terrain following a major typhoon that had struck the Hanshin area. In 1958, the squadron again supported a real world contingency, flying in support of Taiwan during the Quemoy and Matsu Island crisis.
The squadron was re-designated Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 in February 1962. From 1962 through 1968, the squadron flew numerous missions in the CH-34D from Soc Trang, Da Nang, Marble Mountain, Hue, PhuBai and Quang Tri bases in the Republic of Vietnam. Perhaps the most memorable chapter in the squadron's combat history occurred during the Battle of Ashau Valley. The squadron flew over 2,000 hours in just 10 days, first reinforcing and later evacuating a beleaguered U.S. Army Special Forces camp. More than 190 U.S. Army survivors were rescued from enemy capture as a result of ieRidge Runnerlr bravery.
The prominent "Evil Eyes" on the nose of the squadron's aircraft date from this period. Vietnam fisherman often painted eyes on sampans to ward off evil spirits and help them find their way home. One superstitious crew chief painted them on his H-34 to ward off enemy fire. During the next battle, his aircraft sustained the fewest hits. Other crew chiefs soon followed his example and the "Evil Eyes" became the squadron's good luck charm: they have been on every HMM-163 aircraft since (including one in the Smithsonian Institute's Air and Space Museum). For service in the Republic of Vietnam, the squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars, the Navy Unit Commendation with two bronze stars and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm streamer.
In 1968, the squadron was reassigned to Marine Aircraft group 56 in Santa Ana, California where it received its first CH-46 aircraft. In July 1971, HMM-163 was reassigned to MAG-16 as Marine forces were withdrawn from Southeast Asia. From 1971 through 1978, the squadron supported the 1st Marine Division in numerous operations and exercises along the Pacific coast. The establishment of the Unit deployment program in 1979 brought HMM-163 to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa for six month deployments every 18 months until 1985, when the squadron embarked aboard ship as part of the West Coast Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU). Increased capability and tasking led to the Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) [MEU(SOC)] designation.
Since the inception of the MEU (SOC) concept, HMM-163 has deployed numerous times. These include deployments aboard the USS Peleliu in 1991 for participation in Operation Desert Storm and again in 1994 for Operation Continue Hope, the U.N. mission to Somalia. The squadron returned from a Western Pacific/Arabian Gulf deployment aboard the USS Tarawa as part of the 13th MEU (SOC) in October 1996.
The squadron's performance has been acknowledged by numerous awards. Conduct during Operation FIERY VIGIL in June 1991 earned the Joint Meritorious Unit award. Seven Meritorious Unit Commendations have also been awarded since 1979. The Ridge Runners received the CNO Aviation Safety Award in 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1989. The MCAA Helicopter Squadron of the year award was bestowed upon the unit in 1979, 1981, 1985 and 1990.
