HMR-162

hmr162.gif

HMR(L)-162

HMM-162

162_a.gif
162sm.gif
162sbd2.gif
162anniv.gif

50th Anniverasary patch

162sbd.gif

Variant

VMM-162

MARINE MEDIUM TILTROTOR
SQUADRON 162

"Golden Eagles"

VMM-162 was activated 30 June 1951 at MCAF Santa Ana, CA, as Helicopter Transport Squadron (HMR) 162. After initial forming and outfitting, HMR-162 deployed to Japan with MAG-16 in 1953. During the next six years the squadron participated in several exercises and flew missions in support of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and the 3d Marine Division. After redesignating to HMR(L)-162 in 1956, the squadron began rotations between Japan and New River. This lasted until 1962. In 1960, MAG-16 relocated from Oppama, Japan, to the new base at Futenma, Okinawa.

During 1962 HMR(L)-162 became HMM-162. It again deployed to Okinawa, taking part in operations during the crisis in Laos (Jun-Jul 1962). In 1963 (Jan-Jun)and 1964 (Jun-Oct) HMM-162 deployed to Da Nang, South Vietnam, as part of Operation SHUFLY. After the official outbreak of hostilities 162 returned to South Vietnam, operating there from March to May 1965.

After serving in Vietnam, HMM-162 returned to New River, which has been its home for nearly 45 years.

From the 1960s through the 1980s, HMM-162 participated in numerous training exercises, as well as deploying as the Aviation Combat Element for the Caribbean and 6th Fleet Landing Forces. The Golden Eagles were deployed to Lebanon in 1982. During the next decade they participated on several operations including "Sharp Edge" in Liberia, "Provide Comfort" in Iraq, "Restore Hope" in Somalia, "Provide Promise" and "Deny Flight" in Bosnia, and finally, "Assured Response" in Liberia.

HMM-162 participated in the Liberaton of Iraq in 2003. This marked their last combat deployment with the CH-46. In 2005, the squadron entered cadre status in preparation for transition to the MV-22 "Osprey". VMM-162 was stood up on 31 August 2006 at MCAS New River. Since then, the "Golden Eagles" have made a deployment to Iraq in support of operations there.

LINEAGE


1951 - 1961

Activated 30 June 1951 at Santa Ana, California, as Marine Helicopter Squadron 162 and assigned to Air, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.

Reassigned during March 1952 to Marine Aircraft Group 16, Air, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.

Deployed during August 1953 to Asaka, Japan, and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

Deployed during March 1954 to Oppama, Japan.

Redesignated 31 December 1956 as Marine Helicopter Squadron (Light) 162.

Relocated during February 1959 to New River, North Carolina, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing.

Deployed during April 1960 to Futenma, Okinawa, and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

Relocated during July 1961 to New River, North Carolina, and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing.

1962 - 1969

Reassigned 1 February 1962 as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162.

Deployed during June 1962 to Futenma, Okinawa and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

Temporarily stationed in Thailand during June - July 1962 for Laotian Crisis.

Redeployed during January 1963 to the Republic of Vietnam.

Participated in the war in Vietnam, January - June 1963, June - October 1964, and March - May 1965, operating from Da Nang - Nha Trang.

Relocated during June 1963 to New River, North Carolina, and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing.

Deployed during May 1964 to Futenma, Okinawa, and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

Redeployed during June 1964 to the Republic of Vietnam.

Redeployed during October 1964 to Futenma, Okinawa.

Afloat onboard USS Princeton in the Eastern Pacific, October 1964 - March 1965.

Redeployed during March 1965 to the Republic of Vietnam.

Redeployed during May 1965 to Futenma, Okinawa.

Relocated during June 1965 to New River, North Carolina, and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing.

1970 - 2006

Deployed at various times during the 1970s and 1980s to the Mediterranean, North Atlantic, Caribbean, and Indian Ocean areas.

Participated in deployment to the Indian Ocean, October - December 1980.

Reassigned during January 1983 to Marine Aircraft Group 29.

Participated as part of the Multinational Peace-Keeping Force in Lebanon, May - November 1982.

Participated in Operation Sharp Edge, Liberia, August 1990 - January 1991.

Participated in support of Operation Provide Comfort, Iraq, July 1991.

Participated in support of Operation Restore Hope, Somalia, November 1993.

Participated in support of Operations Provide Promise and Deny Flight, Bosnia, January 1994.

Participated in Operation Assured Response, Liberia, April - June 1996.

Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003).

HMM-162 placed in cadre status - October 2005.

VMM-162 activated 31 August 2006 at New River.

UNIT HONORS

PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER with one bronze star
Vietnam
1965

Iraq
2003)

NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with three bronze stars
Vietnam
1963 - 1964

Lebanon
1983

1983

MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION with 3 bronze stars
1974
1979
1986 - 1987
1998

MARINE CORPS EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER with 3 bronze stars

NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER with 3 bronze stars

KOREAN SERVICE STREAMER

ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER

VIETNAM SERVICE STREAMER with 2 bronze stars

SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE STREAMER with 1 bronze star

IRAQ CAMPAIGN STREAMER with 1 bronze star

GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER

VIETNAM CROSS of GALLANTRY with PALM STREAMER