Since when did HMA-169 become HMLA-169??
I was in HMA 269 at MCAS New River, NC in 1975.
Since I scored near the top of my class in Cobra (rotary wing) school they transferred me to VMO-2 to fix OV-10A Broncos (fixed wing) after I finished OJT on Cobras. Too bad for me. I really liked Cobras and the squadron.
I don't know why they added the "L". IIRC "L" meant "light" when I was in. So HMLA means; Helicopter, Marine, Light, Assault. Maybe they have a HMHA (Helicopter, Marine, Heavy, Assault) squadron now. Wouldn't it be great to see a CH-53 armed with every armament it could carry?
Oohrah!
Either 167 or 169 (I can’t recall which right now) has the latest Hueys—the UH-1Y. Much better lift capability and a cockpit the crews like. The Marines are just about to start FOT&E on the Yankee, and next year they’ll do the (delayed) OPEVAL on the Zulu Cobra, which is about 80% common with the Yankee.
TC