HMLA-169

Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 (HMLA-169) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and UH-1Y Huey utility helicopters. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).

Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 insignia
ActiveSeptember 30, 1971 - present
CountryUnited States
AllegianceUnited States of America
BranchUnited States Marine Corps
TypeLight/Attack squadron
RoleClose Air Support
Part ofMarine Aircraft Group 39
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQMarine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton
Nickname(s)"Vipers"
Motto(s)“On time. On target. Professional throughout.”
Tail CodeSN
Mascot(s)Bak-Bak
EngagementsOperation Desert Storm
Operation Restore Hope
Operation Iraqi Freedom
* 2003 invasion of Iraq
* Battle of Najaf
* Operation Phantom Fury
Operation Enduring Freedom
Commanders
Current
commander		LtCol George E. Fleming

Mission

Support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force commander by providing offensive air support, utility support, armed escort and airborne supporting arms coordination, day or night under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint or combined operations.

History

1970s and 1980s

Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 was activated as Marine Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 (HMA-169) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, on September 30, 1971. Unlike its sister squadrons, HMA-269 and HMA-369, HMA-169 was initially equipped with AH-1G Cobras. During 1974-75 the squadron transitioned to the more capable AH-1J Sea Cobra. The AH-1Gs were transferred out by July 1976.

Through the 1970s, HMA-169 engaged in rigorous amphibious training at sea and combined exercises ashore. The 1980s brought increased operational commitments and a growing legacy of aviation safety milestones.

On October 1, 1986, the re-designated HMLA-169 had all 24 of their advanced AH-1T (TOW) cobras phased out which were replaced with 12 of the new AH-1W (Super Cobra). These were complemented with 12 UH-1N Hueys, increasing the Vipers' capabilities commensurate with the needs of the Marine Air Ground Task Force. This made HMLA-169 the first operational Marine Corps squadron to deploy the new Super Cobra both at home and overseas on deployment.

Gulf War and the 1990s

From December 1990 to June 1991, HMLA-169 embarked aboard the USS Tarawa in support of combat operations in Southwest Asia, and deployed ashore during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm with MAG-50 at Tanajib, Saudi Arabia. From February 24 to March 4, 1991, the Vipers flew 234 combat sorties engaging enemy Iraqi forces without loss of aircraft or personnel.

Returning from the Kuwaiti theater, the squadron was routed to assist in humanitarian relief to flood-ravaged Bangladesh as part of Operation Sea Angel. Shortly after that the squadron participated in the humanitarian assistance mission Operation Fiery Vigil, after Mount Pinatubo erupted June 15, 1991. In May 1992, HMLA-169 supported local law enforcement during the Los Angeles riots, and again in 1993 conducted humanitarian relief and peace-keeping operations in Somalia during Operation Restore Hope.

Global War on Terror

HMLA-169 sourced a detachment of 4 Cobras and 3 Hueys to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), which was the among the first Marines into Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks in 2001. The squadron deployed to Iraq in late February 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). During the 2003 invasion of Iraq 12 of the 18 AH-1Ws of the unit sustained battle damage[1] and on March 30, 2003 a UH-1N Huey crashed; killing three members on board.[2] HMLA-169 deployed again in the summer of 2004 to support the second iteration of OIF. During this deployment they provided close air support during the Battle of Najaf and Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah. The squadron is configured with 18 AH-1W SuperCobras and 9 UH-1Y SuperHueys. HMLA-169 again deployed to Iraq in March 2006 to provide close air support for the 1st Marine Division in Al Anbar province. The unit deployed to Al Anbar again in October 2007[3][4]

The squadron was deployed to Afghanistan in the spring of 2009 as part of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.[5] They were part of the 17,000 troop increase announced by President Obama in February, 2009.[6]

In 2014 the squadron was awarded the John P. Giguere award for Marine Light/Attack helicopter Squadron of the year as well as the Pete Ross award for aviation safety.[7]

Unit awards

A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation. HMLA-169 has been presented with the following awards:[8]

Streamer Award Year(s) Additional Info
Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with one Bronze Star 2003, 2009 Iraq, Afghanistan
Joint Meritorious Unit Award Streamer 1991 Bangladesh
Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with one Silver Star and one Bronze Star 1991, 1993, 2001, 2004-5, 2006-7, 2007-8, 2010–11 Southwest Asia, Iraq, Afghanistan
Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer with four Bronze Stars 1986-87, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1996–97, 2000–02
National Defense Service Streamer with two Bronze Stars 1951–1954, 1961–1974, 1990–1995, 2001–present Vietnam War, Gulf War, War on Terrorism
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Southwest Asia Service Streamer with three Bronze Stars

Afghanistan Campaign Streamer with three bronze stars

Iraq Campaign Streamer with four bronze stars

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Streamer 2001–present
Global War on Terrorism Service Streamer 2001–present

See also

References
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

Citations
  1. Visconage & Harris 2004, pp. 120.
  2. Incident Date 030330 HMLA-169 UH-1N #160620 / SN-39 - combat operations - southern Iraq
  3. Cpl Teslevich, Jonathan K. (May 1, 2006). "Vipers assume responsibility over Al Anbar skies". United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2006-06-27. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
  4. Cpl Teslevich, Jonathan K. (May 28, 2006). "Viper's gunships escort Marine patrol in Karma". United States Marine Corps. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  5. Hlad, Jennifer (2008-03-09). "2/8, other Lejeune units to deploy with 2nd MEB". www.enctoday.com. Archived from the original on 2009-03-14. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
  6. Page, Susan (2009-02-16). "Obama OKs adding Afghanistan forces". USA Today. Retrieved May 4, 2010.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-04-13. Retrieved 2014-04-11.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Lineage and Honors of HMLA-169" (PDF). Retrieved 9 June 2020.

Bibliography

Visconage, Michael D.; Harris, Carroll N. (2004). Third Marine Aircraft Wing - Operation Iraqi Freedom. Marine Corps Association.

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