About this Unit
Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 163 (HMR-163) was activated on January 15, 1951, as part of the United States Marine Corps' growing emphasis on helicopter operations. The squadron initially trained with Sikorsky HRS-1 helicopters, playing a pioneering role in developing vertical envelopment tactics. HMR-163 saw significant action during the Vietnam War, providing troop transport, resupply, and medevac missions under challenging combat conditions. Over time, the unit was redesignated as HMM-163 and later as VMM-163, reflecting its transition to newer aircraft and expanding mission capabilities.
Historical Facts
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Origin of HMR-163: Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 163 (HMR-163) was originally activated on June 15, 1951, at MCAS El Toro, California, as part of the Marine Corps' efforts to develop helicopter-borne assault tactics during the Korean War era.
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Nickname “Ridge Runners”: The squadron became known as the “Ridge Runners” due to their frequent operations in rugged, mountainous terrain, especially during their deployments in Southeast Asia.
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Vietnam War Service: HMR-163 (later redesignated as HMM-163) was one of the first Marine helicopter units deployed to Vietnam, arriving in 1962 and playing a vital role in troop transport, medical evacuation, and resupply missions.
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“Evil Eyes” Markings: In Vietnam, the squadron became famous for painting “Evil Eyes” on their helicopters' noses, intended to intimidate the enemy and boost morale among allied troops.
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Operation Starlite: In August 1965, HMM-163 participated in Operation Starlite, the first major American ground offensive of the Vietnam War, providing critical helicopter support for Marine infantry.
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Multiple Redesignations: The squadron underwent several redesignations, from HMR-163 (Helicopter Transport) to HMM-163 (Helicopter Marine Medium) and later to VMM-163 (Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron) as it transitioned to MV-22 Osprey aircraft.
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Evacuation Operations: HMM-163 played a role in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon in 1975, helping evacuate American personnel and at-risk Vietnamese citizens as North Vietnamese forces closed in.
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Humanitarian Missions: Beyond combat, the squadron has participated in numerous humanitarian relief efforts, including responses to natural disasters in Asia and the Pacific.
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Home Base Changes: Over its history, HMR/HMM/VMM-163 has been based at several locations, including MCAS El Toro, MCAS Tustin, and currently MCAS Miramar, California.
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Legacy and Honors: The squadron has received multiple commendations, including Presidential Unit Citations and Navy Unit Commendations, recognizing its outstanding service and heroism in combat and peacetime operations.
