Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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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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squadron ' s(5)AV-8B Harriers were transfered to the deck of the USS Belleau Wood(LHA-3) to faciUtate better deck spotting and launch cycles. This allowed the Harriers to fly 177 sorties for 330.3 hours and the rest of the ACE to fly 1810.9 hours during the operation. On 5 February, HMM-161 returned to the coast of Somalia. In September of 1992, the Greyhawks were the first Marines to go into Mogadishu and now the squadron was poised to take the last of the forces out. The ACE provided a Quick Reaction Force that was on 1 hour alert 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the entire time the squadron was off the coast of Somalia. The squadron also coordinated 15 Italian aircraft and incorporated the Air Force AC-130 ' s into the 24 hour close air support plan. The Squaron also flew leader recon teams into and out of Mogadishu International Airport daily. The ACE transported 450,000 pounds of cargo and 3,500 pasengers to and from the multitude of amphibious platforms that took part in Operation United Shield. At 0001 on 28 February, U.S. Marines went ashore to cover the final withdrawal of the United Nations Forces. The squadron coordinated CAS(close air support) sorties to be in the air 24 hours a day while Marines were ashore. The last of the forces were recovered on the 2nd of March. The 3rd was spent transferring all personnel and supplies back to their proper ships. The USS Essex(LHD-2) recovered the Harriers from the USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) and turned east enroute to Australia. On the 17th of March the ARC was pierside in the port of Fremantle, Australia. Liberty Call was sounded at 1200 and the visit to the best port call in 5 months commenced. Beautiful beaches and the friendly people highlighted the 6 day liberty period. On March 23rd, the USS Essex(LHD-2) left Fremantle enroute to Okinawa, Japan. With a quick stop in Okinawa to redistribute supplies, the squadron was again heading East for home. On the 15th of April, the ARC sailed in the port of Peari Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii. It was great to be back in America, and only a week from home. With the transfer of cargo complete, the ARG left Hawaii on the 17th enroute to Camp Pendleton, Calif.,. The 13 MEU(SOC) and HMM-161 (REIN) disembarked on the 24th of .