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
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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.
Dec78-May80, HMA-169 S-3 Operations. Arrived as a PFC and left as Cpl. Still remember that old concrete barracks. Corporal Torres
1983-1986, I served in HMA 169 at Camp Pendleton, as an aircraft structural mechanic on the AH1-T Tows
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Locations
| 1971- | KNFG | MCB Camp Pendleton |
Models
| 1971- | AH-1 Cobra / Viper |
| 1986-2009 | UH-1N |
| 2010- | UH-1Y Venom |