About this Unit
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.
Historical Facts
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Founding and Nickname: Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162 (HMM-162), known as the "Golden Eagles," was commissioned on June 30, 1951, at Marine Corps Air Facility, Santa Ana, California.
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Korean War Origins: Although formed during the Korean War era, HMM-162 did not deploy to Korea but was integral in developing USMC helicopter assault tactics.
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First Helicopter Assault in Combat: HMM-162 made history during the 1958 Lebanon crisis by executing the first-ever helicopter-borne assault from the sea in combat, landing Marines at Beirut.
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Vietnam War Service: The squadron deployed to Vietnam multiple times, beginning in 1965, providing troop transport, medical evacuations, and resupply missions.
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Apollo Space Capsule Recovery: In October 1968, HMM-162 participated in the recovery of the Apollo 7 space capsule after its splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean.
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Aircraft Evolution: The squadron operated a variety of helicopters over its history, including the HRS-1, UH-34D, CH-46 Sea Knight, and eventually transitioned to the MV-22B Osprey before deactivation.
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Humanitarian Missions: HMM-162 conducted numerous humanitarian operations, such as disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and in the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
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Global Deployments: The unit participated in operations across the globe, including the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Middle East, and Africa, supporting both combat and peacekeeping operations.
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Decommissioning: HMM-162 was redesignated as VMM-162 in 2011 upon transitioning to the MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, continuing the "Golden Eagles" legacy.
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Motto and Emblem: The squadron's motto was "Pride of the Fleet," and its emblem featured a golden eagle clutching lightning bolts, symbolizing speed and striking power.
