Making Marines... Winning Battles... - GlobalSecurity.org

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Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 History Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 was activated in July 1965 at Marine Corps Air Station, Santa Ana, Ca., as part of Marine Aircraft Group 36, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. During August 1965, the White Knights were reassigned to Marine Wing Service Group 37. In September 1966, the White Knights deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, where they were assigned to MAG-36, 1st MAW. From October 1966 to August 1969, the squadron operated from Ky Ha, Hue/Phu Bai, the USS Valley F<strong>org</strong>e, the USS Tripoli, Marble Mountain area near Da Nang, and from USS Tarawa. In August 1969, the squadron redeployed to Okinawa. In December 1969, the squadron became part of MAG-36 again and it remained a part of the group until 1977. During the early 1970s, HMM-165 participated as part of the Special Landing Force in support of activities in Vietnam; the squadron was also part of the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit operating with the Seventh Fleet. During July and August 1972, the White Knights took part in Philippine flood relief operations, flying in food and supplies to local populations. In April 1975, helicopters of HMM-165 took part in the evacuation of Saigon, Operation Frequent Wind. Lady Ace 09 evacuated the ambassador on April 30, 1977. In November 1977, the White Knights and moved to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii where they were reassigned to MAG-24, the air combat element of the 1st Marine Brigade. During September and October 1983, as part of the 31st MAU, HMM-165 deployed to the western Pacific and Indian Oceans. HMM-165 was diverted to Beirut, Lebanon, where they conducted contingency operations from the deck of the USS Tarawa. In December 1989, the White Knights supported American interests, including reinforcement of the American Embassy in the Republic of the Philippines during that country’s coupe attempt. In August 1990, the squadron was sent to Saudi Arabia to participate in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The White Knights returned home from in March 1991. HMM-165 was the “last squadron in the Philippine Islands” when they supported the special purpose MAGTF from July to November 1992. From September to October 1992 a detachment was sent to Cambodia to participate in Joint Task Force Full Accounting. The squadron aided the task force in the search for remains of MIAs from the war in Vietnam. In March 1993, another detachment was sent to Cambodia; this mission was cut short when the task force base camp was attacked by mortar fire in April 1993. As a result of base closings, HMM-165 was reassigned from the 1st MAW Aviation Support Element, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii to MAG-16, 3rd MAW, MCAS El Toro, Ca., on May 15, 1996. While assigned to MAG-16, HMM-165 has participated in two Combined Arms Exercises; Desert Punch, the largest helicopter operation since the Vietnam war; and numerous squadron deployments. HMM-165 moved to MCAS Miramar, San Diego, CA in November 1998 as the result of more base closings. In December 1998, HMM-165 was designated the ACE for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. 16
MEU SERVICE SUPPORT GROUP 13 Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Rodman D. Sansone was born in Columbus, Ohio. Upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy in May 1982, he was commissioned a second lieutenant. After completion of both The Basic School and the Combat Engineer Basic Course, he reported for duty to 8 th Engineer Support Battalion as a Platoon Commander and Company Executive Officer. In 1985, Lieutenant Colonel Sansone reported for duty to Recruiting Station, Macon, Ge<strong>org</strong>ia, where he served the next three years as the Operations Officer. After recruiting duty, he attended the Army’s Engineer Officer’s Advance Course at Fort Belvoir, Va. After graduation, Lieutenant Colonel Sansone remained on the Staff for the next 12 months as a Mine Warfare instructor. Assigned to the 3 rd Marine Division in January 1990, Lieutenant Colonel Sansone served as the Company Commander for Bravo Company, 3 rd Combat Engineer Battalion. During this period, he participated in both Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as the Regimental Engineer for 4 th Marine Regiment. After the Gulf War, he served briefly as the S-3A for the Battalion and participated in Operation Fiery Vigil in the Philippines. He concluded his tour on Okinawa as Company Commander, Engineer Support Company. Upon his return to the United States in 1992, Lieutenant Colonel Sansone reported for duty at the 1 st Marine Corps District in Garden City, New York where he assumed duties as the Contact Team Officer. He subsequently was assigned as the Assistant for Enlisted Recruiting and briefly served as an interim Commanding Officer for Recruiting Station Buffalo. After recruiting duty, Lieutenant Colonel Sansone attended the College of Naval Command and Staff in July 1995. After graduation in June 1996, he was transferred to the 1 st Force Service Support Group and assigned as the G-3 Area Specialist for Oplan 5027. In November 1997, he was re-assigned as the Executive Officer for 7 th Engineer Support Battalion. In July 1999, Lieutenant Colonel Sansone transferred to I MEF and assumed duties as the I MEF Engineer Officer. During this assignment, Lieutenant Colonel Sansone also served on the Coalition Joint Task Force, Kuwait (Fwd) Staff as the Chief of Staff from February 2000 to June 2000. Lieutenant Colonel Sansone assumed his present duties as the Commanding Officer, MEU Service Support Group 13 on March 16, 2001. Lieutenant Colonel Sansone’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with 2 gold stars in lieu of third award, Navy andMarine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon. Lieutenant Colonel Sansone is married to the former Margaretina DeCicco of Chatham, New Jersey. They have two sons, Patrick and Nicholis. 17
Page 1 and 2: Making Marines... “To Marines, th
Page 4 and 5: TABLE OF CONTENTS History of the Ma
Page 6 and 7: the final Muesse-Argonne offensive.
Page 8 and 9: Marine Expeditionary Unit Capabilit
Page 10 and 11: The 13th MEU, working with PHIBRON-
Page 12 and 13: 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit Orga
Page 14 and 15: 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit Hist
Page 16 and 17: The 13th MEU(SOC) departed on its n
Page 18 and 19: Battalion Landing Team 1/4 History
Page 22 and 23: MEU Service Support Group 13 Histor
Page 24 and 25: Weapons and Equipment 20
Page 26 and 27: M203 40mm Grenade Launcher The M203
Page 28 and 29: The Browning M2 .50 Caliber Machine
Page 30 and 31: The basic Tube Launched, Optically
Page 32 and 33: M1A1 Main Battle Tank The M1A1 is a
Page 34 and 35: AAV7A1 Assault Amphibian Vehicle Th
Page 36 and 37: The KC-130 is a multi-role, multi-m
Page 38 and 39: CH-46 Sea Knight The primary missio
Page 40 and 41: USS Bonhomme Richard USS Bonhomme R
Page 42 and 43: USS Pearl Harbor is a Dock Landing

Making Marines... Winning Battles... - GlobalSecurity.org

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