MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- More than 14 months ago, the Marines with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, left the friendly confines of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar for seven months of soaring through the skies over Iraq.

The HMM-161 Marines returned during September 2004 and were awarded the 2004 Marine Corps Aviation Association Mike Yunck Award May 2 for exceptional achievement by a Marine flying squadron. They are also on the cusp of earning the distinction of 45,000 mishap-free flight hours.

During fiscal year 2004 the squadron surpassed 40,000 mishap-free flight hours, a mark dating back to 1995. Although the squadron possessed a distinguished history of safe flying, the accomplishments of HMM-161 in Iraq make it evident why they were recognized.
During its six months at Al Taqaddum, Iraq, the squadron conducted a variety of flight operations, primarily casualty evacuation missions.

"There were a lot of long work days, especially in Iraq, but we were flying casualty evacuation missions and knew if we weren't up to it, then people were going to die," said Lance Cpl. Adrian S. Thurman, flight line mechanic, HMM-161, and Kansas City native. "We couldn't let that happen."

The squadron made 752 consecutive mission launches in support of 1st Marine Expeditionary Force operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom, logging 3072.8 hours of flight time. Throughout their service during OIF, the "Greyhawks" moved 116,480 pounds of cargo and 2,929 passengers, including 328 patients that needed urgent care.

"Honestly, the award is something I think the squadron is proud to receive, but what we did to earn it - 100 percent mission success without mishap - is what we're really proud of," said Capt. John J. James, administration officer, HMM-161. "If there was no Mike Yunck Award, the Marines of HMM-161 would be just as proud of 752 consecutive launches and saving lives under fire in Iraq."

Their success in both peacetime and in Iraq was derived from the toughness, discipline and mission focus sustained by the aircraft crew and maintainers, according to James, a Chicago native.

"Our entire mission relied on being the fastest out of the chocks, flying in the most dangerous part of the country and having the most combat capable aircraft in the 3rd MAW. All of this focus on these things - flying and quality maintenance - to make the mission, required a like focus on safety," said James. "We simply could not afford a mistake that would set us back on personnel, aircraft or mission capability."

The people keeping the helicopters airborne and ready to conduct around the clock missions are the ones who deserve recognition, according to Capt. Christopher L. Janecek, aviation safety officer for HMM-161 in Iraq.

"The efforts of the squadron Marines on a day-to-day basis cannot be overstated.  The mission success in OIF also stems from the fact that every member of the squadron understood that the lives of fellow Marines, Sailors and Soldiers on the ground were in our hands," said the Fort Worth, Texas native.

"The success of every casualty evacuation mission rested with the most junior Marines in the squadron. The simple fact that enlisted Marines continuously rise to the standards set by our staff noncommissioned officers is what has held the mishap-free line."