MARINE LIGHT ATTACK
HELICOPTER SQUADRON 169
HMLA-169
"World Famous Vipers"
HMA-169 was activated 30 September 1971 at MCALF Camp Pendleton, and assigned to Detachment, MAG-16. The squadron was initially equipped with AH-1G Huey Cobras, many of which had seen action in Vietnam. In 1975, HMA-169 converted to the twin-engined AH-1J "Sea Cobra"; conversion to the AH-1T began in 1977.
In 1978 HMA-169 began supplying detachments for WestPac floats. In 1986, HML and HMA squadrons were reorganized and the "Vipers" were redesignated HMLA-169. In 1988, the squadron took part in operations in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation "Earnest Will".
In 1990, HMLA-169 deployed as part of MAG-50 and took part in Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Following the end of hostilities, HMLA-169 and the rest of MAG-50 took part in humanitarian operations in Bangladesh (Operation Sea Angel).
Since 2003, HMLA-169 has made three deployments to Iraq in support of the ongoing Operation Iraqi Freedom
Lineage
1971 - 2006
Activated 30 September 1971 at Camp Pendleton,
California, as Marine Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 and assigned
to Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet
Marine Force, Pacific.
Reassigned during September 1978 to Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3d
Marine Aircraft Wing.
Redesignated 1 October 1986 as Marine Light Attack Helicopter
Squadron 169.
Participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm,
Southwest Asia, January - April 1991.
Participated in Operation Sea Angel, Bangladesh, May 1991.
Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003, 2005, 2006
HONORS
PRESIDENTIAL UNIT
CITATION
Iraq
2003
JOINT MERITORIOUS UNIT AWARD STREAMER
Bangladesh
1991
NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with 2 bronze
stars
Southwest Asia
1991
1993
2001
MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with 2 bronze
stars
1986 - 1988
1987 - 1988
1989 - 1990
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER with 2 bronze
stars
ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER
SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE STREAMER with 3 bronze
stars
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY
STREAMER
- Nicknames: "Vipers"
- Aircraft: UH-1N; AH-1G/J/T/W
- ID Code: SN 1971-
- Squadron Web Page: HMLA-169