Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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UNIT HISTORY Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron- 1 6 1 Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMM-161) was com- missioned on 15 January 1951 at MCAS El Toro Calif., as Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 161 (HMR-161). Moving to Santa Ana. Calif., the following month, HMR-161 began to receive and train with their new aircraft, the Sikorsky HRS-I. Deploying to Korea in August of 1951, HMR-161 operated on the west central and western fronts, becoming the first Marine helicopter squadron to deploy troops in combat. In September of 1952, HMR- 161 operated successfully from the deck of the USS SICILY (CVE- 1 18) to test the new concept of vertical envelopment in conjunction with amphibious operations. Following the Korean war, the squadron was relocated to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii in March 1955. It continued to develop and to exercise the beginnings of our current air ground concept. On 3 1 December 1 956, the squadron was redesignated to Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron (LIGHT) 161 (HMR(L)-16I), and be- ginning in May of 1960, received the new Sikorsky H-34 helicopter. In February of 1962, the squadron was redesignated as Helicopter Marine Medium 1 6 1 (HMM- 161) and continued anti-guerilla training in preparation for contingency operations in Vietnam. On 3 October 1962, HMM-161 made the pickup of astronaut Wal- ter M. SCHIRRA and his Mercury Capsule that had just completed 5 orbits of the earth and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. During May of 1965, HMM-161 deployed to Phu Bai in the Re- public of Vietnam, participating in numerous operations until moving to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, remaining there until January 1966 to receive its new and current aircraft type, the BOEING VERTOL CH- 46 Sea Knight , more commonly referred to as the PHROG . After Futenma, HMM-161 returned to the republic of Vietnam op- erating from Da Nang and later, from Phu Bai until being relocated in December of 1966 to MCAS (H) New River, North Carolina. HMM -161 again deployed to Vietnam during May of 1968, and operated from Quang Tri and, later, from Phu Bai until September of 1970. The squadron then returned to its first home, Santa Ana, Cal- ifornia. On 29 August 1978, HMM-161 became the first helicopter squad- ron to deploy to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa under the unit deployment concept. The squadron returned the MCAS(H) Tustin, California on 28 February 1979. HMM 161 again deployed overseas to Okinawa in September of 1980, returning on February 1981. On 16 July 1982, HMM 161 achieved an aviation milestone by becoming the second Helicopter Squadron in the world to achieve l(X),000 flight hours in the Boeing Vertol CH-46 Helicopter. On 2 September 1982, HMM 161 deployed overseas to Okinawa, returning on 24 February 1983. On 26 January 1984, HMM 161, THE FIRST , planned and conducted the first FMFPac Night Vision Goggle EMCON Mission with troops embarked. On 14 August 1984, HMM 161 deployed overseas to Oki- nawa, returning on 5 February 1985. HMM 161 was awarded the CNO Safety Award and the Meritorious Unit Com- mendation for the year of 1984. On 19 June 1986, HMM- 161 embarked aboard the USS Tarawa for a WestPac deployment, returning on 19 December 1986. On 8 October 1987, HMM- 161 embarked a detachment aboard the USS Okinawa to the Persian Gulf, returning on 6 April 1988. On 12 January 1989, HMM- 161 embarked aboard the USS Belleau Wood for a WestPac deployment, returning on 19 June 1989. On 10 August 1989, HMM- 161 deployed a detachment on the USS Duluth to Prince William Sound, Alaska, in support of spill clean up operations, returning on 26 September 1989. On 9 April 1990, HMM- 161 embarked aboard the USS New Orleans for RIMPAC 90, returning on 24 May 1990. On 17 August 1990, HMM- 161 deployed overseas to Saudi Arabia for operation Desert Shield . The Squadron flew nu- merous missions in support of U.S. and allied forces during operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm . The Squadron returned to MCAS Tustin on 14 March 1991.

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SERGEANT MAJOR DONALD J. JOHNSON Sergeant Major Donald J. Johnson joined the Marine Corps in May 1970. He attended recruit training in San Diego California. Upon coitipletion of recruit training SgtMaj Johnson was ordered to Infantry Training Regiment Camp Pendleton. California, and was trained as an 03 1 1 . Reporting to First Marine Division, Camp Pendleton Ca. In November 1970 Pfc Johnson was assigned to Lima Company, Third Battalion, Third Marines. Five months later Pfc Johnson was transferred to Marine Barracks Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. He was assigned as a guard in the U.S. Naval Magazine Cubi Pt, until April 1973, when he was transferred to First Marine Division, Camp Pendleton California. Sgt Johnson served with Echo Company Second Battalion Fifth Marines until May 1974, when he was ordered to Marine Barracks Treasure Island San Francisco, California. While assigned to Marine Barracks Treasure Island Sgt Johnson served as Sergeant of the Guard, and later Guard Chief as a Staff Sergeant. SSgt Johnson remained at Treasure Island until October 1976, when he received orders to Golf Company Second Battalion Fourth Marines located in Okinawa, Japan. During August 1977, SSgt Johnson was ordered to Drill Instructor duty in San Diego, CA. While on Drill Instructor duty SSgt Johnson was promoted meritoriously to Gunnery Sergeant. In November 1 980 GySgt Johnson reported to First Marine Division Camp Pendleton and was assigned as Company Gunnery Sergeant, Kilo Company Third Battalion First Marines until September 1983. In October 1983 GySgt Johnson reported to Marine Barracks Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico assumed the duties as Guard Chief. GySgt Johnson remained at Roosevelt Roads until promoted to First Sergeant in July 1986. During September 1986 IstSgt Johnson reported toFirst Marine Division Camp Pendleton again to serv( with Alpha Company First Battalion Ninth Marines and remained there until November 1988, when he wi ordered to report to Marine Barracks Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines for duties as Company First Sergeant Alpha Company Marine Barracks. In January 1991 SgtMaj John.son reported Marine Air Group 16, and was assigned as Sergeant Major HMT 301. Sergeant Major Johnson assumed his present duties as Sergeant Major HMM-I6I on 1 April 1992. His awards include Navy Commendation Medal with one star. Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Citation. Meritorious Unit Citation with two stars. Good Conduct medal with seven stars, Sea Service deployment Ribbon with five stars. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with one star. Overseas Service Ribbon with one star, Philippines Republic Presidential Unit Citation and National Defense Service Medal. Sergeant Major Johnson is married to the former Manuela Donglos of Bagiuo City, Philippines. They have two children Jing and Jennifer. MAJOR KEVIN P. SPILLERS Executive Officer Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron- 161 Originally from Columbia, Ohio, Major Kevin P. Spillers graduated from Ohio State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History Education and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Coprs in August 1977. Upon completion of the Basic School, he reported to Combat Engineer School, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from April to June 1978. Reporting to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, he served as a platoon commander and assistant Operations Officer from June 1978 to April 1983. In April 1983, Major Spillers was selected to transition to the Naval Aviator Program, he reported to the Naval Training Command and was designated a Naval Aviator in August 1984. Following flight school. Major Spillers joined Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-263 at Marine Corps Air Station New River and deployed to the Caribbean and Mediterranean, serving there through February 1989. to the western Pacific and the Persian Gulf for Operation Desert Storm serving with the I Ith MEU through September 1991. In September 1991, Major Spillers was ordered to Marine Aircraft Group- 16 and was assigned as the Group Plans Officer. He joined HMM-268 in June 1992 serving as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer until July 1993. During July 1993, Major Spillers reported to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron- 161 .serving as Operations Officer and currently is the Executive Officer. Major Spillers was recently selected for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. Major Spillers ' personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal, Major Spillers and his wife, the former Lucia Wooley of Columbia, Ohio, have one son; J. Matthew, age 5. Major Spillers next assignment was with the 1 Ith Marine Expeditionary Unit, based at Camp Pendleton where he served as the MEU Air Officer. He deployed

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On 27 May 1992, HMM- 161 embarked aboard the USS Tarawa for a WestPac deployment, returning on 24 November 1992. On 25 October 1994, HMM- 161 embarked aboard the USS Esseil for a WestPac deployment. On 25 December 1994, HMM- 161 con ducted a VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) in the Persian Gulf. From 29 January 1995 to 4 March 1995 HMM- 161 participated in operation United Shield , in Somalia. The squadron returned i MCAS Tustin on 24 April 1995. HMM- 161 has been awarded the following unit, service and fof eign awards during it ' s illustrious history: The Presidential Unit i tation with one star, the Navy Unit Commendation with two stars, the Meritorious Unit Commendation with three stars, the National j Defense Service Medal with two stars, the Armed Forces Expedi- tionary Medal, the Korean Service Medal with one star, the Vietnam Service Medal with two silver and one bronze star (representing twelve campaigns), the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three stars, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Medal Color with Palm) and the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citationj (Civil Actions Medal First Class Color with Palm).