Michael Lewis

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162 (HMM-162), known as the "Golden Eagles," was commissioned on June 30, 1951. The squadron has a distinguished history, including participation in the 1958 Lebanon crisis, where it executed the first ship-to-shore helicopter assault in combat. Over the decades, HMM-162 supported operations in Vietnam, the Gulf War, and humanitarian missions such as disaster relief in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake. The squadron was later redesignated as VMM-162 after transitioning to the MV-22B Osprey, continuing its legacy of providing assault support for the United States Marine Corps.

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 (HMM-263), also known as the "Thunder Chickens," was activated on 1 June 1958. The squadron has a distinguished history, participating in major operations including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. HMM-263 also played significant roles in humanitarian missions and peacekeeping operations, such as Operation Provide Comfort in Northern Iraq and disaster relief in Haiti. The unit transitioned to the MV-22 Osprey in 2006, redesignating as VMM-263, and continues to serve as a vital part of Marine Corps aviation.