If you are a Veteran, reconnect with the people you served with on Together We Served!
Aircraft Maintenance/Rotary Wing
TWS Ribbon Bar
Service Photo
Current Service Status
USMC Retired
Current/Last Rank
Gunnery Sergeant
Current/Last Primary MOS
6153-Helicopter Airframe Mechanic, CH-53
Current/Last MOSGroup
Aircraft Maintenance/Rotary Wing
Previously Held MOS
8411-RSS Recruiter
6012-Aviation Maintenance Controller/Production Controller
6412-Aircraft Mechanic
Primary Unit
1996-2000, 6153, HMH-361
Service Years
1995 - 2015
Official/Unofficial USMC Certificates
Certificate of Commendation
Golden Shellback Certificate
Meritorious Mast
Panama Canal Certificate
Shellback Certificate
Suez Canal Certificate
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Enduring Freedom
Marine Combat Water Survival Qualified (WSQ)
From Month/Year November / 2004
To Month/Year February / 2006
Unit HMM-163 Unit Page
Rank Staff Sergeant
MOS 6153-Helicopter Airframe Mechanic, CH-53
Base, Station or City San Diego, CAState/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: Oct 12, 2022
Best Friends Jarel Jakes GySgt R. "DP" Davenport GySgt Rob Morris
Best Moment Leaving on the Tarawa for my first Westpac.