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Aircraft Maintenance
TWS Ribbon Bar
Service Photo
Current Service Status
USMC Active
Current/Last Rank
Master Gunnery Sergeant
Current/Last Primary MOS
6019-Aircraft Maintenance Chief
Current/Last MOSGroup
Aircraft Maintenance
Previously Held MOS
6013-Aircraft Mechanic, A-6/EA-6
2111-Small Arms Repairer/Technician
6111-Helicopter Mechanic-Trainee
6113-Helicopter Mechanic, CH-53
6173-Helicopter Crew Chief, CH-53
6176-Helicopter Crew Chief, MV-22
Primary Unit
2012-Present, 6019, CNO/OPNAV, US Navy
Service Years
1983 - Present
Official/Unofficial USMC Certificates
Cold War Certificate
Plank Owner Certificate
Shellback Certificate
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iwo Jima Certificate
Suez Canal Certificate
What are you doing now:
OPNAV N98 - Enlisted Aircrew Training RO. ADCON to HQMC, OPCON to OPNAV, USN - Pentagon, Washington DC.
Other Comments:
From Month/Year June / 1993
To Month/Year July / 1994
Unit HMM-163 Unit Page
Rank Sergeant
MOS 6173-Helicopter Crew Chief, CH-53
Base, Station or City 11th MEU West Pac CruiseState/Country United States
Patch
HMR(L)-163, the predecessor to HMM-163, was formed in December of 1951. Since that time, its Marines, Sailors and aircraft have flown in continuous support of the United States and Allied operations throughout the Pacific and Central Command Theaters. The squadron's nickname, "Ridge Runners", was bestowed as a result of typhoon rescue and relief operations in the mountainous terrain surrounding Hagman, Japan.
HMR-163 1951-1965
HMM-163 1965-2014
VMM-163 2014-Present
Awards
Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Awards in
1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1989, and 1996.
MCAA Helicopter squadron of the Year in
1979, 1981, 1985, 1990, and 2002.
Type
Aviation
Parent Unit
Helicopter Units
Strength
USMC Squadron
Created/Owned By
63 Vizinho, Manuel (Manny) (MTWS Chief Admin), CWO3 85
Last Updated: Jul 26, 2017
Best Friends Dan Hammer, Bobby Lujan, Terry Hreso, Chuck Venegoni, Ted Townsend, Mad-Dog, Graham, Harvey, Jody Dahl, Al Deam, etc.
Best Moment Somaoli and the NEO at Bujumbura Burundi
Worst Moment Ship's berthing
Chain of Command Okay - LtCol Catto never did wrong by me.