MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C.(Jan. 25, 2007) -- An advance party of approximately 60 Marines from Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 returned home after completing a six-month deployment at Al Asad and Al Anbar Province, Iraq, Jan. 24.

The squadron mission was to provide offensive air support, utility support, armed escort and airborne supporting arms coordination during naval expeditionary operations and joint and combined operations.

While deployed, the unit provided light and attack helicopter support for Multi-National Forces West, said Lt. Col. Michael E. Watkins, the squadron operations officer, who is slated to take command of the squadron later this spring.

Catherine J. Felts, wife of Cpl. Kenneth B. Felts, an HML/A-167 airframes mechanic, waited eagerly for her husband to arrive and meet the newest additions to their family. Catherine gave birth to fraternal twins shortly after her husband deployed in August.

“I’m so excited,” Catherine said about her husband’s return. “He gets to finally meet his babies!”

The squadron, which was commissioned April 1, 1968 during the Vietnam War, has continuously supported operations both in-country and abroad. This deployment marked their third overseas deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism and Operation Iraqi Freedom in the past three years.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/CCBD84461AECBC2D8525726E0055616C?opendocument