• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

HMM-165 renews operational status in support of OIF

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 6/6/2003

Story by Sgt. M. P. Shelato

KUWAIT(June 3, 2003) -- After supporting aviation operations in Iraq since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Marines and Sailors of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 have moved from a forward aviation operating base in Iraq to the USS Boxer and then to the desert of Kuwait - all within the last two weeks.

The "White Knights" have been ordered to an aviation operations base in Kuwait to reinforce Marine Aircraft Group 39's operations in support of OIF.

"With the withdraw of forces from (Iraq) due to the termination of hostile activities, it was necessary to ensure there was enough air power in the area to support operations here," said Maj. Todd J. Oneto, operations officer, HMM-165.

The CH-46E helicopters of HMM-165 have been valuable to the mission of toppling the regime of Saddam Hussein. From carrying wounded servicemembers from the battlefield to hauling water, food rations and ammunition to the fast moving front line, the veteran "Phrog" squadron has taken part in almost every significant operation since they began operations here.

"Our primary missions here will include assault support, casualty evacuation and command and control flights," said Oneto, a Wallingford, Conn. native.

The types of missions HMM-165 now fly from Kuwait are similar to what the squadron had flown earlier in the operation, with a few major environmental differences.

Distances between forward arming and refueling points will be a challenge for the White Knights, according to Oneto. With the closure of some forward aviation operating bases in Iraq because of the steady withdrawal of U.S. forces, the CH-46E squadron has been forced to operate from bases further and further away from the action.

The temperatures in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility have been more than 120 degrees during daytime operating hours. The White Knights will be constantly fighting heat, stress and fatigue, Oneto said.

"The heat will be a major concern for us, operationally," said Oneto. "It accelerates fatigue both on the air crew and the aircraft; it's a double-whammy. We're aware of the risks involved in these operations and we're not going to let ourselves become complacent."

The White Knights have already spent more than one month at the Jalibah Forward Operating Base in Southern Iraq. Their experiences while operating at the remote JFOB have more than prepared them for working at the base in Kuwait, according to Sgt. Maj. Kenneth D. Bush, Sergeant Major of HMM-165.

"Morale is high and we're still doing very good," said Bush, originally from Washington, D.C.

Even though the Marines and Sailors of HMM-165 are ready to perform their duties here, there is always the question of when the squadron will be able to return to their loved ones. Like many units here, the White Knights, who left San Diego aboard the USS Boxer Jan. 17, still can't say exactly when they will return.

"It's everyone's responsibility here to make sure we all get home safely," Bush said. "It's important we stay focused on the mission until it's complete - when our job here is done, we'll be able to go home."