VMM-161 Greyhawks Singapore Yacht Club 2025 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, participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990–1991, and during Operation Iraqi Freedom 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. In December 2009, HMM-161 became the first West Coast squadron to transition to the MV-22 Osprey, redesignating as VMM-161.
This Singapore Yacht Club 2025 patch commemorates VMM-161's participation in exercises and port calls in Singapore during a Western Pacific deployment, reflecting the squadron's continued role in building partnerships and projecting American presence across the Indo-Pacific region. Operating under MAG-16 at MCAS Miramar with the tail code "YR," the Greyhawks carry forward their motto "Equitatus Caeli"—Cavalry From the Sky—as they demonstrate the MV-22 Osprey's unique capabilities to allied and partner nations throughout the Pacific theater.
Perfect For: VMM-161 Greyhawks members and veterans, HMR-161 Korean War alumni, MV-22 Osprey community members, MAG-16 personnel, 3rd MAW service members, Indo-Pacific deployment veterans, and international exercise participants.
The First, The Best—Equitatus Caeli—from the world's first helicopter combat missions in Korea to forging partnerships across the Indo-Pacific in 2025.
