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
Vietnam War
Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 167 was commissioned on 15 March 1968, at Marble Mountain Air Facility, Republic of Vietnam.[2] From commissioning date until June 1971, HML-167 would participate in operations against communist forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Flying UH-1Es for the duration of its tenure in Vietnam. On 21 June 1969, HML-167 dropped the first helicopter bomb. This was accomplished using the Helicopter Trap Weapon (HTW).
In April 1972, HML-167 received the Marine Corps’ first UH-1N. HML-167 acquired the additional responsibilities as training squadron and model manager for the UH-1N. On 16 May 1972, HML-167 was transferred to Marine Aircraft Group 29. The squadron performed the first coast to coast UH-1N flight in 1973.
From 11 to 22 August 1980 personnel and equipment from the squadron deployed throughout Haiti to provide disaster relief after the effects of Hurricane Allen. When Hurricane David and Hurricane Frederic hit the Dominican Republic, HML-167 was on the scene to provide disaster relief from 1 to 17 September 1980.
In 1982, HML-167 was reorganized and transferred back to MAG-26 at the same Air Station. This was evident by HML-167's role in the peacekeeping force in Lebanon from October 1982 through November 1983. In October 1983, HML-167 achieved ten years of mishap free flying, accumulating approximately 65,000 flight hours. Through the years HML-167 was awarded the following: CNO Aviation Safety Award (1972,76, 78, 81, 92, 93), FMFLANT Aviation Award (1975, 83), National Defense Transportation Award 1981, and Commandant of the Marine Corps Certificate of Commendation 1981.
HML-167 received its first AH-1T Cobras on 17 January 1984, and became HMLA-167 on 1 April 1986. It was the first unit to be officially designated as a Light Attack Squadron with a permanent composite mix of UH-1N and AH-1T Helicopters.
Throughout 1986 and 1987, HMLA-167 demonstrated its flexibility. HMLA-167's main body deployed as the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) for contingency MAGTF 2–88 in the Persian Gulf participating in Operation Praying Mantis. MAGTF 2–88 conducted an assault on the Sassan Gas/Oil separation platform complex in response to the Iranian mine attack on the USS Samuel B. Roberts. HMLA-167 also escorted eleven "Earnest Will" oil tanker convoys as well as ten minesweeper transits during its deployment in the Persian Gulf. As 1989 came to a close, HMLA-167 took delivery of its first three AH-1W Super Cobras during a ceremony at the National Helicopter Association's annual convention.
The Gulf War & the 1990s
Beginning in June 1990, detachments from HMLA-167 supported 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit during the largest Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) since the evacuation of Saigon with the evacuation of over 3,000 American citizens and foreign nationals from the embattled capital in Monrovia, Liberia.
In August, HMLA-167 was recalled for deployment in support of Operation Desert Shield. Six AH-1Ws and sixteen pilots were detached to MAG-29 and subsequently deployed to Saudi Arabia later that month and would remain in theater through the completion of Operation Desert Storm. Separate detachments from HMLA-167 would also participate in Operation Provide Comfort and Operation Encourage Hope in eastern Turkey and northern Iraq during the spring and summer months of 1991.
Detachments from the squadron would eventually begin participating in operation Operation Provide Promise in the Adriatic Sea during the Balkans crisis. A special purpose MAGTF, formed with a detachment of UH-1Ns, embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in response to the continuing crisis in the Balkans. They also supported Operation Southern Watch in the Red Sea during renewed tensions with Iraq. This deployment marked the first time Marine ground and helicopter assets were embarked aboard an aircraft carrier.
In October 1993, HMLA-167 was activated in support of Operation Support Democracy in expectation of contingency operations in Haiti. This operation was the first time Warrior aircraft executed an immediate embarkation aboard amphibious transport. Support for operations in the Caribbean Sea continued into 1994 while HMLA-167 was tasked to support counter drug operations within the United States. HMLA-167 won the CNO's Safety Award for 1992 and 1993.
1994 saw squadron detachments support Operation Deny Flight off of Bosnia and assisted in the withdrawal of United States forces from Somalia.
On 28 February 1995, the squadron became the first HMLA on the East Coast to receive an AH-1W Super Cobra with the Night Targeting System. This FLIR and Laser designator was a giant leap in technology and capability for the Warriors.
From 1995–2001, the Warriors supported all MAG-26 designated Marine Expeditionary Unit deployments. These detachments supported numerous contingency operations to include: Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia, Operation Silver Wake in Albania and Operation Guardian Retrieval and Operation Noble Obelisk in Africa. The Squadron also sourced one 2 plane UH-1N detachment to Special Purpose MAGTF-8 in support of Operation Assured Response/Quick Response in Liberia, Africa. The Special Purpose MAGTF Huey detachment also conducted the medical evacuation of numerous civilians from the Merchant Vessel Borren Mill after it caught fire and was rendered unseaworthy 100 miles (160km) off the West Coast of Africa. In the fall of 1998, Special purpose MAGTF/JTF Full Provider supported humanitarian relief operations in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Haiti with two Warrior UH-1Ns after Hurricane Georges ripped through the Caribbean.
In February 2004 HMLA-167 again deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The squadron deployed 18 AH-1Ws, 9 UH-1Ns, and a small detachment of Marines in January aboard the USS Bataan. On the 22 February, all 27 aircraft made the transit from Kuwait to Al Asad, Iraq. This was the home of HMLA-167 for the next six months. During Operation Vigilant Resolve in Fallujah in April 2004, HMLA-167 sent a detachment to help with surge operations from Al Taqaddum. The Warriors also operated from three forward operating bases (FOBs), FOB Al Qaim, FOB Korean Village and FOB Kalsu.
At the same time the Warriors were in Iraq, HMLA-167 had a detachment with the 22nd MEU operating out of Afghanistan. As the Air Combat Element for the MEU, they operated out of Kandahar International Airport, outside of Khandahar, Afghanistan and flew in support of Marine, Army, Special Forces, and Afghan National Army operations in southwestern Afghanistan.
On 24 August 2004 the Warriors returned to MCAS New River. They fell back under the command of MAG-26. Having left their aircraft in Iraq for follow on units, the Warriors began to reassemble their squadron. The first aircraft delivered to 167 were former Unit Deployment Program (UDP) aircraft from Okinawa. These were dropped off by a Russian transport aircraft to MCAS Cherry Point. HMLA-167 would eventually accept and transfer over 111 aircraft during then next year.
HMLA-167 AH-1Ws and an UH-1N at Al Asad, Iraq, in 2008.
On 7 August 2005 HMLA-167 departed MCAS New River and rejoined MAG-26 in Al Asad, Iraq. This trip to Iraq would be the third in less than three years for many of the Marines. HMLA-167 redeployed to MCAS New River on 1 March 2006. During this same period, HMLA-167 had a detachment with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit that operated out of Al Asad during its 6-month deployment.
In August 2006, HMLA-167 departed MCAS New River after only 5 months at home to join MAG-16 in Al Asad, Iraq. HMLA-167 redeployed to MCAS New River in March 2007. The squadron has again deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom leaving MCAS New River on 11 March 2008 for a seven-month tour in Iraq.[4] After only a few months home, HMLA-167 split into two detachments, the main body deploying to Iraq and a small four AH-1W cobra detachment deploying to Afghanistan on 8 February 2009. The squadron would also provide a 4 AH-1W and 2 UH-1N detachment for the 22nd MEU with VMM-263 (REIN) for the first MV-22 MEU from October 2008 to December 2009.
In March 2011 during the Libya civil war HMLA 167 sent a detachment of UH-1N Hueys and AH-1W Cobras in support of the 22nd MEU, for an 11-month deployment.
On 3 May 2013 HMLA 167 returned to middle east in support of Operation Enduring Freedom by being deployed to Camp Bastion Afghanistan, as well as supporting combat operations at COP Camp Dwyer and COP Shukvani in Afghanistan's' Helmand Province. It was also the first time HMLA 167 deployed with the UH-1Y "Yankee". In June 2013 HMLA 167 sent a detachment of four AH-1W cobras to Okinawa to help kick start the UDP deployment cycle again. In November 2013 and December 2013 both the Marines of OEF and UDP returned from their deployments respectively.
In October 2015 a detachment of AH-1W's and UH-1Y's from HMLA-167 joined VMM-162(REIN) of the 26th MEU in a deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. Also in November 2015 HMLA-167 departed MCAS New River and moved to Okinawa, Japan to take part in UDP 16.1 completing training exercises in Thailand for Cobra Gold 2016 and the Philippines for Balaktan 2016. The Marines on the 26th MEU returned home in April 2016, and the Marines in Okinawa returned in May 2016. In July 2016, as well as July 2018, HMLA-167 received the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award.
In May 2019 a detachment of 4 AH-1Ws and 3 UH-1Ys from HMLA 167 joined VMM-365 (REIN) and the 26th MEU. The detachment would deploy in December 2019 to the 6th and 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility in response to increased tensions with Iran. This would be the last deployment for the AH-1W, under the callsign BUZZSAW, as the squadron completed their AH-1Z transition in 2020.
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-167 has been presented with the following awards:
The Bell AH-1 SuperCobra is a twin-engined attack helicopter that was developed on behalf of, and primarily operated by, the United States Marine Corps (USMC). The twin Cobra family, itself part of the larger Huey family, includes the AH-1J SeaCobra, the AH-1T Improved SeaCobra, and the AH-1W SuperCobra.
Marine Aircraft Group 36 (MAG-36) is an active air group of the United States Marine Corps, tasked with providing assault support aircraft. It is currently part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, itself an integral part of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, and based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan.
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 (HMLA-367) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. Originally commissioned during World War II, the squadron participated in combat operations on Peleliu and Okinawa. Reactivated during the Vietnam War, the squadron has served during numerous conflicts since. 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.
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 (HMLA-267) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and Bell UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. Nicknamed the "Stingers", 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.
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775 (HMLA-775) is a reserve United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and Bell UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. The squadron was reactivated from cadre status on 1 Oct 2016 and is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 41 (MAG-41) and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.
Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39) is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California that is currently composed of four AH-1Z "Viper" Cobra and UH-1Y "Venom" Huey light attack squadrons, two MV-22 Osprey squadrons, an aviation logistics squadron, a Headquarters Squadron, a Marine Wing Support Squadron and the H-1 Fleet Replacement Squadron. The group falls under the command of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 (HMLA-369) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. The squadron, also known as the "Gunfighters", 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.
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 Venom 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.
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (VMM-261) is a United States Marine Corps tiltrotor squadron consisting of MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft. The squadron, known as the "Raging Bulls", is based at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, North Carolina and typically falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 26 (MAG-26) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. They are the fourth squadron in the Marine Corps to transition to the MV-22 Osprey.
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 (HMH-772) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-53E Super Stallion transport helicopters. The squadron, known as the Flying Armadillos with the Radio Callsign "Hustler", is based at McGuire AFB, New Jersey and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 49 (MAG-49) and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 (HMLA-773) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and Bell UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. The squadron is based at Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst, NJ and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 49 (MAG-49) and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMH-361) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-53E Super Stallion transport helicopters. The squadron, known as the "Flying Tigers", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Marine Aircraft Group 16 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar that is currently composed of four V-22 Osprey squadrons, four CH-53 Super Stallion squadrons, one Personnel Support Detachment, and an aviation logistics squadron. The group falls under the command of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the I Marine Expeditionary Force.
Marine Aircraft Group 29 (MAG-29) is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. The group is currently composed of four CH-53E Super Stallion squadrons including the Fleet Replacement Squadron, two Light Attack Helicopter Squadrons flying AH-1Z Vipers and UH-1Y Venoms, and a maintenance and logistics squadron.
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 (HMLA-269) was a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. Also known as "The Gunrunners", the squadron was based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina and fell under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 29 (MAG-29) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Marine Aircraft Group 26 (MAG-26) is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station New River composed of seven MV-22 Osprey squadrons, one of which is the Fleet Replacement Squadron, an aviation logistics squadron, and a wing support squadron. It falls under the command of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and II Marine Expeditionary Force.
Marine Aircraft Group 42 was a United States Marine Corps reserve aviation unit based at Naval Air Station Atlanta, Georgia. Due to a re-organization within Marine aviation, MAG-42 was deactivated on 21 June 2008.
The Bell UH-1Y Venom is a twin-engine, medium-sized utility helicopter built by Bell Helicopter under the H-1 upgrade program of the United States Marine Corps. One of the latest members of the numerous Huey family, the UH-1Y is also called "Yankee" after the NATO phonetic alphabet pronunciation of its variant letter. Bell was originally to produce UH-1Ys by rebuilding UH-1Ns, but ultimately built them from scratch instead. In 2008, the UH-1Y entered service with the Marine Corps and also began full-rate production. The aircraft replaced the USMC's UH-1N Twin Huey light utility helicopters, introduced in the early 1970s. The final UH-1Y was delivered in 2018.
Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton or MCAS Camp Pendleton is a United States Marine Corps airfield located within Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. It was commissioned in 1942 and is currently home to Marine Aircraft Group 39. The airfield is also known as Munn Field in honor of Lieutenant General John C. "Toby" Munn, the first Marine aviator to serve as the Commanding General of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467 (HMLA-467) was a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. The squadron, nicknamed the "Sabers", was based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina and was under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 29 (MAG-29) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The squadron's aircraft markings are grey & white stripes on the aircraft tail to replicate the tail markings on a Diamondback Rattlesnake and the markings on the lighthouses in North Carolina.
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