HMM-164 “Flying Death” (Vietnam 16) CH-46 Model, , 1/38 (14") Scale, Mahogany, Phrog

HMM-164 Knightriders (Vietnam) CH-46 Model 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. Length - 14 inches Made from Mahogany US Veteran Owned Business 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. After the withdrawal of American forces from Vietnam and the squadron's subsequent transfer to Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG 36), HMM-164 participated in numerous peacetime operations aboard naval shipping traveling to Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, and Japan as well as many exercises in Okinawa. A detachment from the squadron participated in the evacuation of Americans from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on April 12, 1975 as part of Operation Eagle Pull. On April 30, 1975, an HMM-164 CH-46D crew lifted the last Americans out of Vietnam when they picked up the Marine combined security force during Operation Frequent Wind.[5] Post-Vietnam through today[edit] With the advent of the Unit Deployment Program, on September 1, 1978, HMM-164 returned home to MCAS Santa Ana, California. In September 1978, the squadron rejoined Marine Aircraft Group 36 (MAG-36) at MCAS(H) Futenma for a six-month tour beginning in August 1979 and returning to MCAS(H) Tustin in February 1980. On November 1, 1980, HMM-164 became the first unit on the West Coast to receive the "E" model CH-46. By March 1981, the squadron had received its full complement of "Echo" helicopters. 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