VMM-163

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (VMM-163) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of MV-22 Osprey transport tiltrotors. The squadron, known as "Evil Eyes", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).

The Squadron's original nickname, the "Ridge Runners", was bestowed as a result of typhoon rescue and relief operations in the mountainous terrain surrounding Hanshin, Japan following Typhoon Tess in September 1953. In 2015, the squadron officially adopted the moniker "Evil Eyes." This comes from the eyes that have been painted on squadron aircraft since October 1965 when it was recommended by the squadron's intelligence officer for operation in South Vietnam.

Mission

Provide assault support transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment during expeditionary, joint or combined operations. Be prepared for short-notice, worldwide deployment in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations.

History

The Early years

Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 163 (HMR-163) was commissioned on December 1, 1951, at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Ana, California. In March 1952 the squadron joined Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) at MCAF Futema. In September 1953, the squadron embarked on the USS Bataan (CVL-29) sailing for Japan. During October 1953 the squadron flew humanitarian relief missions in the area of Hanshin following devastation created by Typhoon Tess. It was during this operation that the squadron gained its nickname, "The Ridgerunners." In August 1954, the squadron sent a three-helicopter detachment aboard ship to assist with the relocation of Vietnamese refugees as part of Operation Passage to Freedom. During this deployment, the squadron's helicopters delivered many people to Dr Thomas Dooley's clinic north of the 17th parallel. On December 1, 1956, the squadron was redesignated as Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron (Light) 163 (HMR(L)-163).

HMR-163 returned to the United States in May 1959 and was reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 36 at MCAS Santa Ana, CA. In June 1960, the squadron again deployed to MCAF Futema, Okinawa, Japan returning to MCAS Santa Ana in August 1961. The squadron designation was changed again to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (HMM-163) on February 1, 1962. HMM-163 returned to MCAF Futema in July 1962.

Vietnam War

In late July 1962, HMM-163 deployed to Sóc Trăng Airfield, South Vietnam and on 1 August it replaced HMM-362 as the Operation Shufly squadron. In early September 1962, HMM-163 began redeploying with its support units from Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) to Da Nang Air Base, completing the redeployment by 20 September. On 6 October the squadron suffered its first fatalities when a search and rescue UH-34 crashed due to mechanical failure southwest of Tam Kỳ killing five Marines and two Navy corpsmen with only the pilot surviving. On 11 January 1963 HMM-162 replaced the squadron, during their time in South Vietnam the squadron's crews had flown a total of 10,869 hours, 15,200 sorties and had lifted over 25,216 combat assault troops and 59,024 other passengers.

The squadron redeployed to South Vietnam as the Shufly squadron at Da Nang Air Base on 17 February 1965 replacing HMM-365 and was there when the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade landed at Red Beach on 8 March 1965. On 31 March the squadron supported the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) Operation Quyet Thang 512 flying Airborne troops from Tam Kỳ to a landing zone south of Da Nang, during the operation one UH-34 was shot down and two Marines killed. The mission was depicted in Larry Burrows' ''LIFE magazine'' photo-essay "One ride with Yankee Papa 13" showing the death of Marine pilot 1st Lt James E. Magel and the rescue of wounded gunner Sgt Billie Owens. For most U.S. citizens, this was the first time they were made aware of the extent of America's involvement in Vietnam. On 21 June the squadron was replaced by HMM-261 and joined the Special Landing Force (SLF) onboard . The squadron then supported Operation Starlite landing the 3rd Battalion 7th Marines. In September the squadron supported Operation Dagger Thrust. On 11 October HMM-261 replaced the squadron as the SLF helicopter squadron.

In late October 1965, HMM-163 relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. Captain Al Barbes, the Squadron Intelligence Officer and husband to a Filipina bride, offered a suggestion. Because of Asian culture and beliefs, he proposed that eyes painted on the unit aircraft might have an unsettling effect upon the enemy, thus the concept of "The Eyes" on the front of HMM-163 aircraft was born.

On 1 January 1966, HMM-163 flew to Phu Bai Combat Base, South Vietnam, relieved HMM-161, and took over all their H-34 helicopters. Painting of what were then called "Genie Eyes" (after the ''I Dream of Jeannie'' TV show) began immediately. By March 1966, HMM-163's "Genie Eyes" were being called "Evil Eyes" by the ground units supported.

From 26 February to 3 March the squadron supported Operation New York. On 9 March 1966, the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 95th Regiment, 325th Division attacked the Special Forces camp in the A Shau Valley about southwest of Huế in Thừa Thiên Province. Defending the camp were 10 Green Berets and 210 South Vietnamese Civilian Irregular Defense Group. The squadron flew over 2,000 flight hours in ten days during the battle in which 190 survivors were rescued from capture in the face of heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire. During the battle, 21 of the 24 aircraft assigned to the squadron suffered "major damage" including two that were shot down.Sturkey, ''Bonnie-Sue'', pp. 18–23.

The squadron supported Operation Oregon from 19–23 March. It then supported Operation Texas in which one UH-34 was shot down by Vietcong (VC) antiaircraft fire killing three crewmen and seven Marines from 3rd Battalion 1st Marines. In mid-April the squadron supported Operation Virginia around Khe Sanh Combat Base. The squadron left South Vietnam on 1 August 1966 and joined Task Group 79.2 from 2 to 28 October and returned to South Vietnam on 1 November 1966.

The squadron again returned to Phu Bai, still with black and white "Evil Eyes", under the command of LtCol Otto Bianchi. Bianchi was a good friend of the Wing Commander, but that didn't keep Major General Louis Robertshaw, 1st MAW Commanding General, from reading Bianchi the "riot act" concerning the unauthorized paint scheme. Also in the room at the time of this conversation was the Commanding General of the Marine ground forces in the area, who politely interrupted by saying, "It sure is great to have the 'Evil Eyes' back here at Phu Bai!" Robertshaw relented and the "Evil Eyes" have remained to this day.

On 8 September 1967 the squadron became the SLF Alpha helicopter squadron onboard . On 30 October the squadron joined Marine Aircraft Group 36 (MAG-36) at Quang Tri Combat Base.

The squadron supported Marine units fighting around the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone throughout early 1968. In mid-April the MAG-36 units at Quang Tri, including the squadron, were detached into Provisional (Prov) MAG-39. On 19 May HMM-161 equipped with new CH-46Ds replaced the squadron at Quang Tri and it was transferred to MAG-16. On 31 August the squadron returned to the U.S.

1990s

During the 1990s, HMM-163 continued to excel while serving as the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) for five Special Operations Capable Marine Expeditionary Unit

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