HMM-165

Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 165
HMM-165's insignia
Active	July 1, 1965 - present
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Medium Lift Tilt Rotor Squadron
Role	Assault support
Part of	Marine Aircraft Group 16 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQ	Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Nickname(s)	"White Knights" "Lady Ace"
Motto(s)	Whatever it Takes
Tail Code	YW
Engagements	Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom * 2003 invasion of Iraq *Operation Inherent Resolve

Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 165 (VMM-165) is a United States Marine Corps Tilt-rotor squadron consisting of MV-22B Osprey transport aircraft. The squadron, known as the "White Knights", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and fall under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).

Provide assault support transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment during expeditionary, joint or combined operations. Be prepared for short-notice, worldwide employment in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations.

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 was activated on July 1, 1965 at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Ana, California 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 Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. From October 1966 to August 1969, the squadron operated from Kỳ Hà, Hue/Phu Bai, the USS Valley Forge, the USS Tripoli, Marble Mountain area near Da Nang, and from the USS Tarawa. On June 6, 1968, HMM-165 had two of their CH-46As shot down in the vicinity of Khe Sanh. There were no deaths on the first incident but the second crash which occurred at LZ Loon, southeast of Khe Sanh, resulted in the death of 12 of the 23 Marines on board.