VMM-166 13th MEU ACE 2016 Buff Sea Elk Patch
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 166 (VMM-166), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 166 (VMM-166), the "Sea Elk," was activated on 13 September 1985 at Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, California as the youngest CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter squadron in the Marine Corps. Assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16, the squadron relocated to MCAS El Toro in 1995 and MCAS Miramar in 1999, where it would remain until its decommissioning on 1 October 2021 as part of Force Design 2030.
The Sea Elk built a distinguished combat record across three decades. The squadron participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990–1991, Operation Support Hope and Operation Restore Hope in 1994, and Operation Southern Watch in 1998. In 2004, HMM-166 deployed as the Aviation Combat Element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, participating in the Battle of Najaf. On 5 November 2007, the squadron deployed again with the 11th MEU, and from 4 to 6 December flew 29 humanitarian assistance missions over Bangladesh, delivering more than 54,165 pounds of food and supplies and 1,875 gallons of water to victims of Tropical Cyclone Sidr.
This "Buff Sea Elk" patch represents VMM-166 (Reinforced) serving as the Aviation Combat Element during a 2016 deployment with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. On 23 June 2010, the squadron had been redesignated from HMM-166 to VMM-166 as it transitioned from the CH-46E Sea Knight to the MV-22 Osprey, entering a new chapter of tiltrotor operations. The 13th MEU, activated on 1 February 1985, has deployed to every major theater of operations from Desert Storm through Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and VMM-166 provided its aviation muscle during Western Pacific deployments that took the Sea Elk from Camp Pendleton to the far reaches of the Indo-Pacific.
Perfect For: VMM-166 Sea Elk members and veterans, HMM-166 alumni, 13th MEU deployment veterans, MAG-16 and 3rd MAW personnel, MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aviation enthusiasts, and MEU deployment patch collectors.
The Sea Elk—from the youngest CH-46 squadron in the Corps to Osprey pioneers with the 13th MEU, always ready to answer the call from ship to shore.
