Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (VMM-163) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of MV-22 Osprey transport tiltrotors. The squadron, known as "Evil Eyes", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).
The Squadron's original nickname, the "Ridge Runners", was bestowed as a result of typhoon rescue and relief operations in the mountainous terrain surrounding Hanshin, Japan following Typhoon Tess in September 1953. In 2015, the squadron officially adopted the moniker "Evil Eyes." This comes from the eyes that have been painted on squadron aircraft since October 1965 when it was recommended by the squadron's intelligence officer for operation in South Vietnam.
Mission
Provide assault support transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment during expeditionary, joint or combined operations. Be prepared for short-notice, worldwide deployment in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations.
History
Vietnam War
HMR(L)-163, the predecessor of HMM-163, was formed in December 1951.
In late July 1962, HMM-163 deployed to Sóc Trăng Airfield, South Vietnam and on 1 August it replaced HMM-362 as the Operation Shufly squadron. In early September 1962, HMM-163 began redeploying with its support units from Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) to Da Nang Air Base, completing the redeployment by 20 September. On 6 October the squadron suffered its first fatalities when a search and rescue UH-34 crashed due to mechanical failure southwest of Tam Kỳ killing five Marines and two Navy corpsmen with only the pilot surviving. On 11 January 1963 HMM-162 replaced the squadron, during their time in South Vietnam the squadron's crews had flown a total of 10,869 hours, 15,200 sorties and had lifted over 25,216 combat assault troops and 59,024 other passengers.
The squadron redeployed to South Vietnam as the Shufly squadron at Da Nang Air Base on 17 February 1965 replacing HMM-365 and was there when the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade landed at Red Beach on 8 March 1965. On 31 March the squadron supported the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) Operation Quyet Thang 512 flying Airborne troops from Tam Kỳ to a landing zone south of Da Nang, during the operation one UH-34 was shot down and two Marines killed. The mission was depicted in Larry Burrows' LIFE magazine photo-essay "One ride with Yankee Papa 13" showing the death of Marine pilot 1st Lt James E. Magel and the rescue of wounded gunner Sgt Billie Owens. For most U.S. citizens, this was the first time they were made aware of the extent of America's involvement in Vietnam. On 21 June the squadron was replaced by HMM-261 and joined the Special Landing Force (SLF) onboard . The squadron then supported Operation Starlite landing the 3rd Battalion 7th Marines. In September the squadron supported Operation Dagger Thrust. On 11 October HMM-261 replaced the squadron as the SLF helicopter squadron.
In late October 1965, HMM-163 relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. Captain Al Barbes, the Squadron Intelligence Officer and husband to a Filipina bride, offered a suggestion. Because of Asian culture and beliefs, he proposed that eyes painted on the unit aircraft might have an unsettling effect upon the enemy, thus the concept of "The Eyes" on the front of HMM-163 aircraft was born.
On 1 January 1966, HMM-163 flew to Phu Bai Combat Base, South Vietnam, relieved HMM-161, and took over all their H-34 helicopters. Painting of what were then called "Genie Eyes" (after the I Dream of Jeannie TV show) began immediately. By March 1966, HMM-163's "Genie Eyes" were being called "Evil Eyes" by the ground units supported.
From 26 February to 3 March the squadron supported Operation New York. On 9 March 1966, the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 95th Regiment, 325th Division attacked the Special Forces camp in the A Shau Valley about southwest of Huế in Thừa Thiên Province. Defending the camp were 10 Green Berets and 210 South Vietnamese Civilian Irregular Defense Group. The squadron flew over 2,000 flight hours in ten days during the battle in which 190 survivors were rescued from capture in the face of heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire. During the battle, 21 of the 24 aircraft assigned to the squadron suffered "major damage" including two that were shot down.