U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, operate Bell UH-1Y Venom (also called Super Huey) medium-sized utility helicopter and AH-1Z Vipers twin-engine attack helicopter during routine training in the eastern Pacific Ocean as part of the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). The skid platform rotorcraft aircraft provide unique close air support capability to the warfighter on the ground.
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (VMM-163) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of MV-22 Osprey transport tiltrotors. The squadron, known as the “Ridge Runners”, is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW). The Squadron’s nickname, “Ridge Runners”, was bestowed as a result of typhoon rescue and relief operations in the mountainous terrain surrounding Hagman, Japan.
