arine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 (HMLA-167) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. Known as the "Warriors", they are based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina and fall under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 29 (MAG-29) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW).
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In April 1972, HML-167 received the Marine Corpsâ?? first UH-1N. HML-167 acquired the additional responsibilities as training squadron and model manager for the UH-1N. On May 16, 1972, HML-167 was transferred to Marine Aircraft Group 29. The squadron performed the first coast to coast UH-1N flight in 1973.
From 11 to 22 August 1980 personnel and equipment from the squadron deployed throughout Haiti to provide disaster relief after the effects of Hurricane Allen. When Hurricane David and Hurricane Frederic hit the Dominican Republic, HML-167 was on the scene to provide disaster relief from 1 to 17 September 1980.
In 1982, HML-167 was reorganized and transferred back to MAG-26 at the same Air Station. This was evident by HML-167's role in the peacekeeping force in Lebanon from October 1982 through November 1983. In October 1983, HML-167 achieved ten years of mishap free flying, accumulating approximately 65,000 flight hours. Through the years HML-167 was awarded the following: CNO Aviation Safety Award (1972,76, 78, 81, 92, 93), FMFLANT Aviation Award (1975, 83), National Defense Transportation Award 1981, and Commandant of the Marine Corps Certificate of Commendation 1981.
HML-167 received its first AH-1T Cobras on January 17, 1984, and became HMLA-167 on April 1, 1986. It was the first unit to be officially designated as a Light Attack Squadron with a permanent composite mix of UH-1N and AH-1T Helicopters.
Throughout 1986 and 1987, HMLA-167 demonstrated its flexibility. HMLA-167's main body deployed as the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) for contingency MAGTF 2â??88 in the Persian Gulf participating in Operation Praying Mantis. MAGTF 2â??88 conducted an assault on the Sassan Gas/Oil separation platform complex in response to the Iranian mine attack on the USS Samuel B. Roberts. HMLA-167 also escorted eleven "Earnest Will" oil tanker convoys as well as ten minesweeper transits during its deployment in the Persian Gulf. As 1989 came to a close, HMLA-167 took delivery of its first three AH-1W Super Cobras during a ceremony at the National Helicopter Association's annual convention.
