Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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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).

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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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HMM- 161 (REIN) Deployment History HMM-161(REIN) departed San Diego on 25 Octoer 1994, as part of the 13th MEU (SOC) on WESTPAC 1-95. Embarked onboard the USS ESSEX (LHD-2), the squadron set sail across the Pacific Ocean. During the crossing the squadron conductd routine air operations. Typhoon Zelda provided rough seas as the Amphibious Ready Group continued its journey West. The 13th MEU(SOC) arrived off the coast of Okinawa on 1 1 November where it conducted a 50-hour exercise to ready the Marines for future operations. From 16 to 21 November, the Greyhawks were in Hong Kong for a port visit. The squadron continued on to Singapore a week later, arriving on the 26th. HMM-16(REIN) transited the Straits of Hormuz on 16 December to join Operation Southern Watch. While in the Persian Gulf the squadron participted in three exercises; Eager Mace, Nautical Mantis, and Iron Magic. Arriving off the cost of Kuwait on the 15th the 13th MEU (SOC) disembarked for Eager Mace 3-95. The Greyhawks conducted air operations from the Kuwaiti Air Force Base at Ali Al Salem. Berthing was provided for most of the squadron at Doha Army Base over 45 minutes away. Training was conducted at Udayri Range, 10 miles away from the Iraqi border. The ACE flew 448.6 hours and transported 1568 passengers during the exercise. The sorties included aerial gunnery, CAS(close air support), FAC(A) missions, NVG training, navigation and terf routs. The MEU was back aboard the Iron Gator on 22 December, sailing south for Jebal Ali, United Arab Emirates. On 25 December the MEU was ordered to conduct a VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) to the merchant vessel Ajmer, which was found to be in violation of the United Nations sanctions against Iraq. The mission was to fastrope 24 marines aboard to take control of the vessel. Cover was provided by (2) AH-1 W Cobras and (2) AV-8B Harriers. The mission was conducted flawlesly and control of the Ajmer was turned over to the U.S. Navy. The ARG was pierside in Jebel Ali on the 26th. Music, beer, and sports activities provided by MWR were waiting ashore. While in port, training sorties were flown to Fuiara International Airport on the Southeast coast of the Emirates. The ARG left Jebal Ali on 8 January 1995 enroute to Nautical Mantis in Saudi Arabia. On 9 January the squadron disembarked the battalion to the Sameed training area while the Squadron conducted air operations off the ship. The fixed wing aircraft conducted air to ground sorties on Udayri Range in Kuwait. 529.3 hours were flown during the exercise. From the coast of Saudi Arabia, the 1 3th MEU(SOC) sailed south to United Arab Emirates and Iron Magic. From 20 to 24 January, the squadron again conducted operations from the Essex. A night raid was conducted on nearby Alhambra air field with U.A.E. forces. 203.8 hours were flown. On 24 January, the ARG was pierside at the port facility in downtown Dubai. The members of the Squadron enjoyed a few last days of liberty before arriving on Ground Hog Station off the coast of Somalia. The 13th MEU(SOC) exited the Straits of Hormuz on the 27th enroute to Mombasa, Kenya, and operation UNITED SHIELD. Mombasa was the rendezvous point for the multi-nation task force. Upon arrival off the coast of Kenya, the ARG was joined by over a dozen surface combatants from three countries. One of the ships was the USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) which carried aboard the augmentation for the 13th MEU(SOC), which included a reinforced Battalion and HMLA- 267(REIN).The Stringers brought with them (4) UH-IN Huey Gunships, and (4)CH-53E Super Stallions. The Squadron was further reinforced with (4)KC-130 ' s to provide aerial refueling. This augmentation bolstered the strength of the ACE to over 700 marines and 44 aircraft. The