VMM-164

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (VMM 164), is a United States Marine Corps tiltrotor squadron operating the MV 22B Osprey. Known as the Knightriders, they fall under the command Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG 39) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW). They are based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton.

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 164 (HMM 164) was activated under LtCol. Herbert J. Blaha on 1 July 1964 at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Ana, California as part of Marine Aircraft Group 36 (MAG 36) operating UH 34s. In August 1965 the squadron transferred to Marine Wing Support Group 37 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. On 23 June the squadron supported Operation Turner to destroy munitions left at the A Shau Special Forces Camp after the camp was abandoned at the end of the Battle of A Sau. In late April the squadron supported The Hill Fights around Khe Sanh Combat Base. On 16 June the squadron returned ashore. On 20 October the squadron left South Vietnam and relocated to Okinawa. In early November the squadron embarked on board Amphibious Ready Group Bravo, alternating maintenance and training at Subic Bay and periods at sea along the littoral of South Vietnam, from the Cà Mau Peninsula to the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone. On 11 April 1972 the squadron was reassigned to 33rd Marine Amphibious Unit (33rd MAU). On 12 and 23 May the squadron operating from Okinawa transported South Vietnamese Marines in a series of raids known as Operation Song Than 5 72 and Operation Song Than 6 72 in defense of Battle of the Mỹ Chánh Line. On 20 June 1974 the squadron replaced HMH 462 on USS New Orleans at Okinawa and departed for Subic Bay arriving there on 22 June. During the summer of 1989, the squadron simultaneously supported oil spill cleanup efforts in Valdez, Alaska and an Air Contingency Force at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras. In June 1990, HMM 164 deployed to the Western Pacific with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) and provided support relief efforts following the July earthquake that devastated the Philippines. In August 1990 the squadron proceeded to Southwest Asia and participated in maritime interdiction operations during Operation Desert Shield and then provided combat support during Operation Desert Storm before returning to MCAS Tustin in April 1991. The squadron deployed in October 1992 with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU). The squadron provided support to Joint Task Force (Somalia) during Operation Restore Hope from December 1992 until February 1993. HMM 164 returned to MCAS Tustin in April 1993. August 1993 found the squadron providing support for units training at the Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, California and provided a mission capabilities demonstration for the Secretary of the Navy. In August 1993, the Marine Corps Aviation Association chose HMM 164 as the Medium Helicopter Squadron of the year. In June 1995, HMM 164 deployed as the Aviation Combat Element with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU). During this time it provided support for the United States Central Command in Operation Vigilant Sentinel in Kuwait as well as Bahrain, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates before returning and relocating to MCAS El Toro, California in December 1995. In February 1996, HMM 164 was called upon to support the President of the United States as he visited the flood ravaged areas around Portland, Oregon. On 28 August 1997, HMM 164 (REIN) deployed again with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. During December 1997 and January 1998, the squadron's AV 8B Harrier IIs and KC 130 Hercules flew combat sorties in support of Operation Southern Watch over southern Iraq. HMM 164 (REIN) returned to MCAS El Toro on February 26, 1998, completing its final deployment before re designation as a Fleet Replacement Squadron. On 8 January 1999, HMM 164 relocated to MCAS Camp Pendleton, California as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) move and was attached to MAG 39 effective 11 January. In February 1999, the Squadron was re designated HMMT 164 and was tasked to become the Marine Corps’ Fleet Replacement Squadron for the CH 46E. During March 1999, the squadron deployed two aircraft to Moffett Federal Airfield to support Operation Urban Warrior and accept its first two student pilots. In May, the Marine Enlisted Aircrew Training Department accepted its first class of new enlisted aircrew. On 1 June 1999, the squadron took over the role as Model Manager and Fleet Project Team Manager for the CH 46E. Since 2000, HMMT 164 has trained over 360 new pilots and 460 crew chiefs. On 28 June 2008, HMMT 164 deployed to Naval Air Station Lemoore after California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger requested military assistance to fight raging wildfires. The helicopters are providing medium lift rotary wing support to United States Northern Command and the National Fire Center. On 9 April 2015, HMMT 164 officially retired the CH 46E and transitioned to the MV 22B Osprey. As part of the transition, they became a fleet squadron rather than a training squadron and so were redesignated as VMM 164.

In the spring of 2018, VMM 164 deployed for the first time as an MV 22B Osprey squadron in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. They serve as one of the main means of transportation of VIPs, troops and cargo in the Area of Operations.