157762
157764
157772
157774

Side #s were probably 25-28, though the Mar 71 Command Chronology lists damage to 28 and 29.

That was a quick response!

Thanks! I probably work right next to were the command chronologies are stored and I didn't even think to check there. I'm curious what you based the side numbers on - I'm assuming that VT1 through VT24 were the
AH-1Gs? However, didn't that complement go up and down? I know for at least part of 1970 they had 25 AH-1Gs. This from scarface-usmc.org:

"On April 24th, 1970 in another show of maintenance magic, the Squadron had all of their twenty five aircraft in an "Up" status. This was the first time a Helicopter Squadron had attained 100% aircraft availability in Vietnam. To celebrate the event, a 25-plane "fly-over" of Marble Mountain was conducted with Plane Captains called on to fill the front seats of all 25 "Cobras"."

Thanks again!

This was the first time a Helicopter Squadron had attained 100% aircraft availability in Vietnam.

I don't think so...HMM-165 did it twice, while I was there. Once going aboard the USS Valley Forge, LPH-8 and also returning from same , Spring 1968. Didn't quite get there going aboard the other boat...

I'm assuming that VT1 through VT24 were the
AH-1Gs? However, didn't that complement go up and down? I know for at least part of 1970 they had 25 AH-1Gs.

Tracking through the Command Chronologies, they were up to 28 at the end of Jan 70. They went to 27 in Feb; 25 in March. When the 4 J's joined in Feb 71 they were down to 24 G's.

100% Availability

I remember a different story about 100% availability.

Sometime in 1970 MAG 16 had an anniversary. I do recall it was on a Saturday and I do recall some kind of special party in addition to the story below:

To "celebrate" I recall that all squadrons had to conduct a flyover with all their aircraft. In the H46 community, same story. Not enough pilots, so crew chiefs filled in left seat.

I recall being single pilot tail end charlie in a flight of 18.

Left seat!

Not enough pilots, so crew chiefs filled in left seat.

I lived for that stuff!!