USS Tarawa (LHA 1) - Naval Cruise Book

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They don ' t :all them ' Ridge Runners for nothing The dominant Evil Eyes painted »n the nose of each CH-46 Sea Cnight helicopter in this squadron is mly one aspect which separates this lelicopter squadron from the rest. The Ridge Runners (named rom a phenomenal typhoon rescue nd relief effort in the mountainous lansin prefecture of Japan) of 4MM-163 were originally formed on December 1, 1951 when they were hen recognized as HMR(L)-163. The Western Pacific was the sight )f many deployments for the squad- on during the 1950 ' s and 60 ' s. From .964 through 1968, HMM-163 dis- inguished itself during four combat ours in Vietnam. The most signifi- ant c ampaign occurred in March .966, when the squadron flew in ex- :ess of 2,000 hours in 10 days. This peration was completed without my fatalities during the evacuation )f an Army Special Forces outpost in he As Hau Valley. HMM-163 was iwarded the Presidential Unit Cita- ion and Navy Unit Commendation or its conspicuous action during the init ' s tours in Vietnam. Since 1968, the squadron has dis- inguished itself by performing in a nyriad of operations, including de- ployments as far East as Pensacola, ; r lorida, as far South as Panama, and i Vest on deployments to MCAS Fu- tenma, Japan. The squadron ' s readiness was tested in January 1982, when it was called upon to be the Aviation Com- bat Element for the 17th Marine Am- phibious Unit (MAU). During this time, HMM-163 participated in a show of readiness termed Kernel Egress. September 1983 found the Ridge Runners returning from Futenma, Japan, and then being chosen to be- come the first squad ron from the West Coast to support a MAU aboard an amphibious ship. HMM-163 was the proud recipi- ent of the Marine Corps ' Helicopter Squadron of the Year Award for 1985, making it a three-time winner. The squadron previously won this award in 1979 and 1981. The squad- ron also received the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award from 1982 through 1985. HMM-163 is the only helo squadron to receive this award four years in a row. In December 1988, the squadron reached another milestone by record- ing 50,000 Class A mishap-free flight hours. In July 1989, HMM-163 continued its safe and successful ways as it de- ployed to the Western Pacific Ocean on board USS TARAWA (LHA-1). HMM-163 Page 29

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HMM-163 Page 28 left: An aircrewman inspects the surrrounding area prior to take-off.

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above: Marines of the MSSG-11 prepare to mobilize their forces and proceed inland. MSSG-11 Page 30