VMM-166 (REIN) 13th MEU ACE Jager 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, and assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16, making it the youngest CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter squadron in the Marine Corps. The squadron relocated to MCAS El Toro in 1995 and again to MCAS Miramar in 1999, building a distinguished record of operational deployments throughout its 36-year history before being decommissioned on 1 October 2021 as part of Force Design 2030.
The Sea Elk 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 (ACE) 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, transporting more than 54,165 pounds of food and supplies and 1,875 gallons of water to victims of Tropical Cyclone Sidr.
On 23 June 2010, the squadron was redesignated as VMM-166 as it transitioned from the CH-46E Sea Knight to the MV-22 Osprey. This "REIN 13th MEU ACE Jager" patch represents VMM-166 (Reinforced) serving as the Aviation Combat Element during a deployment with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The 13th MEU, activated on 1 February 1985 at Camp Pendleton, has participated in operations from Desert Storm to Iraqi Freedom to Enduring Freedom, and VMM-166 served as its aviation backbone during Western Pacific deployments, providing the tiltrotor assault support, forward presence, and crisis response capability that defines the MEU concept.
Perfect For: VMM-166 Sea Elk members and veterans, HMM-166 alumni, 13th MEU personnel, MAG-16 and 3rd MAW service members, MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aviation enthusiasts, and MEU deployment patch collectors.
The Sea Elk of VMM-166—from the youngest CH-46 squadron to pioneering Osprey deployments with the 13th MEU, carrying Marines into harm's way for 36 years of faithful service.
