Authentic HMA-169 Vipers Vinyl Decal

Description

HMA-169 Vipers Sticker

Marine Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 (HMA-169) / HMLA-169 — “Vipers”

Marine Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 (HMA-169) was activated on 30 September 1971 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, initially equipped with AH-1G Cobra helicopters. Unlike its sister squadrons HMA-269 and HMA-369, HMA-169 was the first Fleet Marine Force attack helicopter squadron to fire the 5-inch Zuni rocket and conduct operational testing and evaluation of the TOW missile, pioneering attack helicopter weapons tactics that would become standard across the Marine Corps.

During the 1970s, HMA-169 transitioned from the AH-1G to the AH-1J Sea Cobra, and through the 1980s added innovative combat development programs including the AIM-9L Sidewinder evaluation. On 1 October 1986, the redesignated HMLA-169 became the first operational Marine Corps squadron to deploy the new AH-1W Super Cobra, complemented by 12 UH-1N Hueys. During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the Vipers deployed aboard USS Tarawa and flew 234 combat sorties from 24 February to 4 March 1991, engaging Iraqi forces without loss of aircraft or personnel. The squadron then provided humanitarian relief in Bangladesh (Operation Sea Angel) and the Philippines (Operation Fiery Vigil) following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo on 15 June 1991.

The Vipers were among the first Marines into Afghanistan after September 11, 2001, and deployed multiple times to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing close air support during the Battle of Najaf and Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah. Today, HMLA-169 operates the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom under MAG-39, 3rd MAW, at MCAS Camp Pendleton.

Perfect For: HMA-169/HMLA-169 Vipers past and present, MAG-39 Marines, 3rd MAW personnel, Camp Pendleton aviators, Cobra and Viper attack helicopter enthusiasts, and Skid Kids collectors.

A tribute to the Vipers — over five decades of attack helicopter innovation, from the first Zuni rocket to the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.

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