Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMM-161) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-46E Sea Knight transport helicopters. The squadron, known as the "Greyhawks", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and is attached to Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).

History

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Korean

The squadron was activated on January 15, 1951 at MCAS El Toro, California, as Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 161 (HMR-161) Air Fleet Marine Force Pacific, the Greyhawks moved a month later to MCAF Santa Ana, California to train on their new helicopter, the Sikorsky HRS-1 Chickasaw. The Squadron then deployed in August of 1951 to Korea and attached to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW), where it operated in the central and the western fronts. The squadron's first action was on September 13th, 1951 during Operation Windmill I when the squadron flew 28 sorties, evacuating 84 wounded and hauling 19,000 lbs (8618 kgs) of supplies to a Marine battalion operating in the vicinity of the Punch BowlDorr Robert F. (2005). ‘’”Marine Air” – The History of the Flying Leathernecks in Words and Photos’’ p. 146. Penguin Books. ISBN 0 425 20725 0.. After becoming the first helicopter squadron to deploy troops into combat, HMR-161 successfully flew from the USS Sicily (CVE-118) to test new concept of combining vertical envelopment with amphibious assault during Operation "Marlex-5" off the coast of Inchon on September 1, 1952. This was the first ever ship to shore helicopter flight with Marines aboard. The Greyhawks then participated in the defense of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) from July 1953 to March 1955. The Squadron then relocated that month to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and attached to Marine Aircraft Group 13 (MAG 13).

While in Hawaii, HMR-161 was redesignated on December 31, 1956 as Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron (Light) 161 (HMR(L)-161), MAG 13, 1st MAW. In May of 1960, the Squadron received the new Sikorsky H-34 Seahorse. It was once again redesignated on February 1, 1962 as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMM-161), MAG 13, 1st Marine Brigade. On October 3, 1962 the Greyhawks assisted NASA by fishing astronaut Wally Schirra and his Friendship Seven Capsule out of the Pacific after a successful launch into outer space. The rest of the early 1960s were spent conducting anti-guerilla training in preparation for deployment to Vietnam.

Vietnam War and the 1980's

HMM-161 deployed in May of 1965 to Phu Bai, Republic of Vietnam and attached to MAG 16, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. It then relocated in January of 1966 to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa to receive its new Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight. By April of 1966, the Greyhawks had redeployed to Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam with a move to Phu Bai that June. The Squadron relocated once again in November of 1966 to Futema, Okinawa, where it was attached to MAG 15, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade. A month later the Greyhawks returned to CONUS, as they were attached to MAG 26, 2d MAW at [