Fly with the Knightriders of HMM-164 in this hand crafted CH-46 Phrog. Each model is carved from wood and hand painted to provide a unique piece that will always be treasured.
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 164 (HMM-164) was activated under LtCol. Herbert J. Blaha on July 1, 1964[1] at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Ana, California as part of Marine Aircraft Group 36. In August 1965 the squadron transferred to Marine Wing Support Group 37 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. The squadron received the first CH-46 Sea Knights assigned to West Coast duty six months after activation.[2]
HMM-164 brought the first CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters into Vietnam when they landed at Marble Mountain Air Facility after transiting from the USS Valley Forge (LPH-8) in March 1966.[3] HMM-164 remained in Vietnam for a three and one-half years as part of Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16). During their time in country they operated in and around the following areas: Quảng Trị, Đông Hà, Khe Sanh, Huế, Phu Bai and off the decks of the USS Princeton (LPH-5), the USS Tripoli (LPH-10) and the Valley Forge. While in Vietnam, HMM-164 supported US forces in all the major operations, most notably in Operation Hastings and Operation Meade River. On July 15, 1966 while conducting the initial insertion of ground forces during Operation Hastings the squadron lost three CH-46A Sea Knights in the vicinity of LZ Crow near Con Thien. Two aircraft crashed when their rotorblades intermeshed while trying to avoid Marines on the ground and the third crash was caused by heavy ground fire.[4]
In October 1969, the squadron left Vietnam and relocated to Okinawa, Japan where it joined Marine Aircraft Group 15 (MAG-15). From October 1969 through April 1972, it deployed with elements of the United States Seventh Fleet as part of a special landing force. HMM-164 supported combat and search and rescue operations off the coast of Vietnam until April 1972 when it deployed aboard the USS Okinawa (LPH-3). While aboard the Okinawa, HMM-164 continued to provide Joint Service combat support in Operation Song Than and Operation Lam Son 719 until returning to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa in 1973.