Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169

HMLA-169 Vipers activated 30 September 1971 at Camp Pendleton as HMA-169 and  assigned to Detachment, MAG-16. Reassigned during September 1978 to MAG-39. Redesignated 1 October 1986 as HMLA-169. During the 1970s and 80s the squadron was involved in the Unit Deployment Program, deploying to Okinawa for 6 month periods. HMLA-169 served in Operation Desert Shield/Storm 1990-91 and participated in Operation Sea Angel (Bangladesh Flood Relief). HMLA-169 has also been deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom .

HMLA-169 initially equipped with the US Army single engine AH-1G Cobra from 1971 thru 1976

Tail Code SN

In the escalation of tensions leading up to the 1983/84 Lebanese conflict, AH-1T of HMA-169 attacked positions in Beirut, in response to attacks near the airport on 29 Aug 1982.