Official VMM-161 Greyhawks Friday Every Hour is Happy Hour Patch

VMM-161 Greyhawks Friday Every Hour is Happy Hour Patch

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (VMM-161), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (VMM-161), the "Greyhawks," holds the extraordinary distinction of being the first helicopter transport squadron in the world, commissioned on 15 January 1951 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California as Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 161 (HMR-161). The squadron deployed to Korea in August 1951, where it became the first helicopter squadron to deploy troops into combat, flying 16,538 hours during 18,607 sorties and accounting for over 60,000 troop movements and 7.5 million pounds of cargo throughout the Korean War.

The Greyhawks served multiple tours in Vietnam and participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990-1991. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, HMM-161 made 752 consecutive mission launches at Al Taqaddum, logging 3,072.8 flight hours during OIF II. The squadron's third Iraq deployment saw the Greyhawks fly 5,199 combat flight hours, transport more than 2,100 wounded personnel, and conduct 19 raids—accumulating a record-setting 58,000-plus Class A mishap-free flight hours that can never be surpassed by any other CH-46E squadron. In December 2009, HMM-161 became the first of ten West Coast squadrons to transition to the MV-22 Osprey, redesignating as VMM-161.

In July 2012, the Greyhawks made history yet again with the first MV-22 Osprey combat deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The squadron won the Edward C. Dyer Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron of the Year Award multiple times and accumulated seven consecutive CNO Safety Awards. Today, VMM-161 serves under MAG-16 at MCAS Miramar, living up to their motto "The First, The Best" with their Latin creed "Equitatus Caeli"—Cavalry From the Sky.

Perfect For: VMM-161 Greyhawks members and veterans, HMM-161 and HMR-161 alumni, MAG-16 personnel, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing service members, MV-22 Osprey enthusiasts, and Korean War-era helicopter veterans.

The First, The Best—from the world's first helicopter combat transport missions in Korea to pioneering the Osprey revolution in Afghanistan and beyond.