15th MAU (Marine Amphibious Unit) established
on Jul.1, 1987


(Last update on Nov.25, 2009)
15th MAU
HMM-166(C)
USS TRIPOLI (LPH 10)
Aug. 1987 - Feb. 1988 (WestPac, Indian Ocean)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YX 60x-61x
CH-46EHMM-166
YX 62x-62x
CH-53EHMH- DET.
YX 63x-63x
YX 64x-64x
AH-1T
UH-1N		HMLA- DET.

(Last update on Dec.23, 2009)


15th MAU redesignated 15th MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit)
on Feb.5, 1988


(Last update on Jul.1, 2009)
15th MEU(SOC)
HMM-268(C)
USS NEW ORLEANS (LPH 11)
Jun.16, 1988 - Dec.16, 1988 (WestPac)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YQ 0x-1x
CH-46EHMM-268
YQ 2x
CH-53EHMH- DET.
YQ 3x
YQ 4x
AH-1W
UH-1N		HMLA- DET.
Participated :
exercise COBRA GOLD '88 in Thailand
exercise VALIANT USHER '88-6 in Australia
exercise VALIANT USHER '89-1 in Philippines
exercise VALIANT BLITZ '89-1 in Republic of Korea

(Last update on Jul.1, 2009)


(Last update on Jan.29, 2025)
15th MEU(SOC)
HMM-163(Rein)
USS PELELIU (LHA 5)
Jan.15, 1990 - Jul.18, 1990 (WestPac)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YP 0x-1x
CH-46EHMM-163
YP 2x
CH-53EHMH- DET.
YP xx
YP xx
AH-1W
UH-1N		HMLA- DET.
WF xx
AV-8BVMA-513 DET.
 
UH-1N(*1)
(*1) assigned to USS PELELIU (LHA 5) rather than to 15th MEU
Participated :


(Last update on Jan.29, 2025)
15th MEU(SOC)
HMM-163(Rein)
USS PELELIU (LHA 5)
May 29, 1991 - Nov.26, 1991 (WestPac, Persian Gulf)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YP 0x-1x
CH-46EHMM-163
YP 2x
CH-53EHMH-361 DET.
YP 3x
YP 4x
AH-1W
UH-1N		HMLA- DET.
WF xx
AV-8B
AV-8B(NA)		VMA-513 DET.
 
UH-1N(*1)
(*1) assigned to USS PELELIU (LHA 5) rather than to 15th MEU
Participated :
operation DESERT STORM in the the Persian Gulf
operation FIERY VIGIL in Philippines


(Last update on Mar.31, 2021)
15th MEU(SOC)
HMM-164(Rein)
USS TRIPOLI (LPH 10)
Oct.16, 1992 - Apr.16, 1993 (WestPac, Indian Ocean)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YT 01-07, 10-14
CH-46EHMM-164
YT 21-24
CH-53EHMH- DET.
YT 31-32
YT 41-45
UH-1N
AH-1W		HMLA-267 DET.
VR 54, xx
HH-46AHC-11 DET.11 (*1)
(*1) assigned to USS TRIPOLI (LPH 10) rather than to 15th MEU(SOC)
Participated :
operation RESTORE HOPE in Somalia


(Last update on May 8, 2019)
15th MEU(SOC)
HMM-166(Rein)
USS TRIPOLI (LPH 10)
Jun.9, 1994 - Dec.9, 1994 (WestPac, Indian Ocean)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YX 600-61x
CH-46EHMM-166
YX 62x
CH-53EHMH-466 DET.
YX 63x
YX 64x
UH-1N
AH-1W		HMLA-369 DET.
VR 66, 67
HH-46DHC-11 DET.4 (*1)
(*1) assigned to USS TRIPOLI (LPH 10) rather than to 15th MEU(SOC)
Participated :
operation SUPPORT HOPE in Rwanda and Zaire
operation RESTORE HOPE in Mogadishu, Somalia and Nairobi, Kenya
operation VIGILANT WARRIOR in Southwest Asia


(Last update on Jul.11, 2018)
15th MEU(SOC)
HMM-268(Rein)
USS PELELIU (LHA 5)
Nov.13, 1995 - May 1996 (WestPac, Persian Gulf)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YQ 0x-1x
CH-46EHMM-268
YQ 2x
CH-53EHMH- DET.
YQ 3x
YQ 4x
UH-1N
AH-1W		HMLA-369 DET.
YQ 5x
AV-8BVMA-311 DET.A
Participated :
operation SOUTHERN WATCH in Kuwait
exercise IRON MAGIC in UAE
exercise EASTERN MAVERICK in Oman


(Last update on Feb.8, 2023)
15th MEU(SOC)
HMM-161(Rein)
USS BOXER (LHD 4)
Mar.24, 1997 - Sep.24, 1997 (WestPac, Persian Gulf)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YR 0x-1x
CH-46EHMM-161
YR 2x
CH-53EHMH-361 DET.
YR 3x
YR 4x
UH-1N
AH-1W		HMLA-267 DET.
YR 51-YR 54
YR 55-YR 56
AV-8B+
AV-8B(NA)		VMA-513 DET.A
VMA-513 DET.A
YR-51 16xxxx (AV-8B+)
YR-52 16xxxx (AV-8B+)
YR-53 16xxxx (AV-8B+)
YR-54 16xxxx (AV-8B+)
YR-55 16xxxx (AV-8B(NA))
YR-56 164139 (AV-8B(NA))
15th MEU(SOC) and HMM-161(Rein)
embarked on Mar.24-25, 1997
disembarked on Sep.23, 1997
Participated :
operation SOUTHERN WATCH, no-fly zone over southern Iraq


(Last update on Jul.18, 2012)
15th MEU(SOC)
HMM-163(Rein)
USS ESSEX (LHD 2)
Jun.22, 1998 - Dec.21, 1998 (WestPac, Indian Ocean)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YP 0x-1x
CH-46EHMM-163
YP 2x
CH-53EHMH-466 DET.
YP 3x
YP 4x
UH-1N
AH-1W		HMLA-367 DET.
YP 5x
AV-8BVMA-513 DET.
VR xx
HH-46DHC-11 DET.5 (*1)
(*1) assigned to USS ESSEX (LHD 2) rather than to 15th MEU(SOC)
Participated :
operation RESOLUTE RESPONSE in Nairobi, Kenya


(Last update on Jun.20, 2012)
15th MEU(SOC)
HMM-166(Rein)
USS BON HOMME RICHARD (LHD 6)
Jan.24, 2000 - Jul.24, 2000 (WestPac, Persian Gulf)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YX 0x-1x
CH-46EHMM-166
YX 2x
CH-53EHMH-462 DET.
YX 3x
YX 4x
UH-1N
AH-1W		HMLA-369 DET.
YX 5x
AV-8BVMA-513? DET.
VR xx
HH-46DHC-11 DET.4 (*1)
(*1) assigned to USS BON HOMME RICHARD (LHD 6) rather than to 15th MEU(SOC)
Participated :
operation STABILISE in East Timor
exercise EAGER MACE 99 in Kuwait
exercise EASTERN MAVERICK 99 off the southeastern coast of Qatar
exercise SEA SOLDIER with Oman


(Last update on May 15, 2024)
15th MEU(SOC)
HMM-163(Rein)
USS PELELIU (LHA 5)
Aug.13, 2001 - Mar.4, 2002 (WestPac, North Arabian Sea)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YP 00-07, 10-13
CH-46EHMM-163
YP 21-24
CH-53EHMH-465 DET.
YP 31-33
YP 41-44
UH-1N
AH-1W		HMLA-169 DET.
YP 51-52
YP 53-56
AV-8B(NA)
AV-8B+, AV-8B+(R)		VMA-311 DET.
VR 70, 73
HH-46DHC-11 DET.6 (*1)
(*1) assigned to USS PELELIU (LHA 5) rather than to 15th MEU(SOC)
Participated :
operation ENDURING FREEDOM in the North Arabian Sea and Afghanistan

(Last update on May 15, 2024)


(Last update on Jun.3, 2009)
15th MEU(SOC)
HMM-161(Rein)
USS TARAWA (LHA 1)
Jun. 2002 - Jul. 2002 (RIMPAC '02)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YR 0x1x
CH-46EHMM-161
YR 2x
CH-53EHMH-465 DET.
YR 3x
YR 4x
UH-1N
AH-1W		HMLA-267 DET.
YR 5x
AV-8BVMA-311 DET.
Participated :
exercise RIMPAC 2002 off the coast of Hawaii


(Last update on Mar.16, 2022)
15th MEU(SOC)
HMM-161(Rein)
USS TARAWA (LHA 1)
Jan.6, 2003 - Jul.13, 2003 (WestPac, Persian Gulf)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YR 0x-1x
CH-46EHMM-161
YR 2x
CH-53EHMH-361 DET.
YR 3x
YR 4x
UH-1N
AH-1W		HMLA-267 DET.
YR 51-YR 54
YR 55-YR 56
AV-8B+
AV-8B(NA)		VMA-311 DET.A (*2)
VR xx
HH-46DHC-11 DET.7 (*1)
(*1) assigned to USS TARAWA (LHA 1) rather than to 15th MEU(SOC)
(*2) VMA-311 DET.A
YR-51 164566 (AV-8B+)
YR-52 165422 (AV-8B+)
YR-53 165430 (AV-8B+)
YR-54 165572 (AV-8B+)
YR-55 163874 (AV-8B(NA))
YR-56 164117 (AV-8B(NA))
Participated :
operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan
operation IRAQI FREEDOM


(Last update on Oct.10, 2018)
15th MEU(SOC)
HMM-165(Rein)
USS BON HOMME RICHARD (LHD 6)
Dec.6, 2004 - Jun.6, 2005 (WestPac, Persian Gulf)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YW 0x-1x
CH-46EHMM-165
YW 2x
CH-53EHMH-462 DET.
YW 3x
YW 4x
UH-1N
AH-1W		HMLA-267 DET.
YW 5x
AV-8BVMA-513 DET. (*2)
VR xx
MH-60SHC-11 DET.4 (*1)
(*1) assigned to USS BON HOMME RICHARD (LHD 6) rather than to 15th MEU(SOC)
(*2) VMA-513 DET.
YW-5x 165418 crashed into Indian Ocean on Jan. 13, 2005
YW-5x 165420
YW-5x 165576
YW-5x 165582
YW-5x 163870
YW-5x 164146
Participated :
operation UNIFIED ASSISTANCE in the Indonesian island of Sumatra
operation IRAQI FREEDOM


(Last update on Nov.20, 2024)
15th MEU(SOC)
HMM-165(Rein)
USS BOXER (LHD 4)
(Expeditionary Strike Group FIVE)
Sep.13, 2006 - May 31, 2007 (WestPac, Persian Gulf)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YW 0x-1x
CH-46EHMM-165 (*1)
YW 2x
CH-53EHMH-465 DET.
YW 3x
YW 4x
UH-1N
AH-1W		HMLA-267 DET.
YW 51
YW 52-56
AV-8B+
AV-8B+(R)		VMA-311 DET.A (*3)
VR 76, xx
MH-60SHSC-21 DET.2 (*2)
(*1) HMM-165 CH-46E 156459/YW-13
made emergency landing on lake Qadisiyah in Anbar province, Iraq
after losing power shortly after takeoff from US base at Haditha Dam
on Dec. 3, 2006.
(*2) assigned to USS BOXER (LHD 4) rather than to 15th MEU(SOC)
(*3) VMA-311 DET.A
YW-51 164571 (AV-8B+)
YW-52 165427 (AV-8B+(R))
YW-53 165428 (AV-8B+(R))
YW-54 165583 (AV-8B+(R))
YW-55 165584 (AV-8B+(R))
YW-56 165595 (AV-8B+(R))
Participated :
operation IRAQI FREEDOM
exercise MALABAR off the southwest coast of India


(Last update on Dec.18, 2024)
15th MEU(SOC)
HMM-165(Rein)
USS PELELIU (LHA 5)
(Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group)
May 4, 2008 - Nov.4, 2008 (WestPac, Persian Gulf, Red Sea)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YW 00-1x
CH-46EHMM-165
YW 20-23
CH-53EHMH-465 DET.
YW 30-31
YW 40-43
UH-1N
AH-1W		HMLA-267 DET.
YW 51-54
YW 55-56
AV-8B+(R)
AV-8B(NA)		VMA-311 DET. (*2)
VR xx
MH-60SHSC-21 DET. (*1)
(*1) assigned to USS PELELIU (LHA 5) rather than to 15th MEU(SOC)
(*2) VMA-311 DET.
YW-51 16xxxx (AV-8B+(R))
YW-52 165580 (AV-8B+(R))
YW-53 165567 (AV-8B+(R))
YW-54 16xxxx (AV-8B+(R))
YW-55 16xxxx (AV-8B(NA))
YW-56 16xxxx (AV-8B(NA))
Participated :
operation IRAQI FREEDOM in the Persian Gulf
Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Red Sea


(Last update on Dec.25, 2024)
15th MEU(SOC)
HMM-165(Rein)
USS PELELIU (LHA 5)
(Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group)
May 22, 2010 - Dec.18, 2010 (WestPac, CENTCOM AOR)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YW 0x-1x
CH-46EHMM-165
YW 2x
CH-53EHMH-462 DET.
YW 3x
YW 4x
UH-1N
AH-1W		HMLA-267 DET.
YW 50-53
YW 54-55
AV-8B+(R)
AV-8B(NA)		VMA-311 DET. (*2)
WC 50, 52
MH-60SHSC-23 DET.5 (*1)
TB xx
MH-53EHM-15 DET. (*1)
(*1) assigned to USS PELELIU (LHA 5) rather than to 15th MEU(SOC)
(*2) VMA-311 DET.
YW-50 1653xx (AV-8B+(R))
YW-51 1653xx (AV-8B+(R))
YW-52 16xxxx (AV-8B+(R))
YW-53 165425 (AV-8B+(R))
YW-54 16xxxx (AV-8B(NA))
YW-55 16xxxx (AV-8B(NA))


(Last update on Nov.10, 2021)
15th MEU(SOC)
HMM-364(Rein)
USS PELELIU (LHA 5)
(Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group)
Sep.17, 2012 - May 14, 2013 (WestPac, CENTCOM AOR)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
PF 00-06, 10-12, 15-16
CH-46EHMM-364
PF 21-24
CH-53EHMH-361 DET.
PF 31-33
PF 41-44
UH-1Y
AH-1Z		HMLA-369 DET.
PF 50-53
PF 54-55
AV-8B+(R)
AV-8B(NA)		VMA-311 DET.
WC 43, xx
MH-60SHSC-23 DET.4 (*1)
(*1) assigned to USS PELELIU (LHA 5) rather than to 15th MEU(SOC)

(Last update on Nov.10, 2021)


(Last update on May 11, 2022)
15th MEU(SOC)
VMM-161(Rein)
USS ESSEX (LHD 2)
(Essex Expeditionary Strike Group)
May 11, 2015 - Dec.15, 2015 (U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet AOO)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YR 0x-1x
MV-22BVMM-161 (*2)
YR 2x
CH-53EHMH-465 DET.
YR 3x
YR 4x
UH-1Y
AH-1Z		HMLA-169 DET.1
WL 5x
AV-8BVMA-311 DET.
VR 60, 65
MH-60SHSC-21 DET.1 (*1)
(*1) assigned to USS ESSEX (LHD 2) rather than to 15th MEU(SOC)
(*2) 168020/YR-01 experienced a "hard-landing mishap"
at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows in Waimanalo, Hawaii on May 17, 2015,
two Marines were fatally injured and 22 other military personnel were injured.
Participated :
exercise Culebra Koa, off the coast of Oahu
in support of the President of the United States security operations
     off the coast of Kenya
operation Inherent Resolve in the Persian Gulf
sustainment training exercises in Kuwait
in support of the President of the United States security operations
     off the coast of Manila, Philippines


(Last update on Feb.7, 2018)
15th MEU(SOC)
VMM-161(Rein)
USS AMERICA (LHA 6)
(America Amphibious Ready Group)
Jul.7, 2017 - Feb.2, 2018 (U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet AOO)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YR 0x-1x
MV-22BVMM-161
YR 2x
CH-53EHMH-462 DET.
YR 3x
YR 4x
UH-1Y
AH-1Z		HMLA-169 DET.
YR 5x
AV-8BVMA-214 DET.
WC 52, xx
MH-60SHSC-23 DET.2 (*1)
(*1) assigned to USS AMERICA (LHA 6) rather than to 15th MEU(SOC)
15th MEU(SOC) and VMM-161(Rein)
embarked on Jul.8, 2017
disembarked on Feb.1, 2018
Participated :
amphibious exercise Alligator Dagger 17-2, off the coast of Djibouti
passing exercise (PASSEX) with the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)


(Last update on May 29, 2024)
15th MEU(SOC)
VMM-164(Rein)
USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8)

Oct.5, 2020 - May 23, 2021 (U.S. 7th and 5th Fleet AOO)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YT 0x-1x
MV-22BVMM-164
YT 2x
CH-53EHMH-465 DET.
YT 3x
YT 4x
UH-1Y
AH-1Z		HMLA-267 DET.
DC 51-56
F-35BVMFA-122 DET.
WC 45, xx
MH-60SHSC-23 DET.2 (*1)
(*1) assigned to USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8) rather than to 15th MEU(SOC)
15th MEU(SOC) and VMM-164(Rein)
embarked on Oct.6-7, 2021
disembarked May 19-20, 2021
Participated :
Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX)
     in the Southern California Operating Areas


(Last update on Sep.21, 2022)
15th MEU(SOC)
VMM-363(Rein)
USS ESSEX (LHD 2)
Jun.15, 2022 - Aug.13, 2022 (RIMPAC 2022)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YZ 0x-1x
MV-22BVMM-363
YF xxx
CH-53EHMH-462 DET.
SNxx
UH-1Y
AH-1Z		HMLA-169 DET.
VR 64, 66
MH-60SHSC-21 DET.8 (*1)
(*1) assigned to USS ESSEX (LHD 2) rather than to 15th MEU(SOC)
15th MEU(SOC), HMH-462 DET. and HMLA-169 DET.
embarked on Jun.17, 2022
disembarked on Aug.12, 2022
VMM-363
embarked on Jun.26, 2022
disembarked on Aug.3, 2022
Participated :
RIMPAC 2022
     from June 29 to Aug. 4
     in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California


(Last update on Apr.24, 2024)
15th MEU(SOC)
VMM-165(Rein)
USS BOXER (LHD 4)
(Boxer Amphibious Ready Group)
deployment stalled
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YW 00-1x
MV-22BVMM-165
YW 20-23
CH-53EHMH- DET.
YW 30-32
YW 40-43
UH-1Y
AH-1Z		HMLA- DET.
CE xx
F-35BVMFA-225 DET. (*2)
WC xx
MH-60SHSC-23 DET. (*1)
(*1) assigned to USS BOXER (LHD 4) rather than to 15th MEU(SOC)
(*2) VMFA-225 DET.
CE-225 169920
CE-01   169919
CE-03   1699xx
CE-07   1699xx
CE-10   170049
CE-xx   
CE-xx   
CE-xx   
USS BOXER (LHD 4) deployment stalled
01Apr2024 : departed San Diego for an Indo-Pacific deployment
01-02Apr2024 : embarked VMFA-225 DET.
03-04Apr2024 : embarked 15th MEU(SOC) and VMM-165(Rein)
05-09Apr2024 : conducted integration exercises with the MV-22B Osprey
10-11Apr2024 : disembarked 15th MEU(SOC) and ACE
11Apr2024 : returned to San Diego for Repairs to its Rudder


(Last update on Dec.4, 2024)
15th MEU(SOC)
VMM-165(Rein)
USS BOXER (LHD 4)
(Boxer Amphibious Ready Group)
Jul.16, 2024 - Nov.24, 2024 (Indo-Pacific deployment)
Modex
AircraftRemarks
YW 00-1x
MV-22BVMM-165
YW 20-23
CH-53EHMH-465 DET.
YW 30-32
YW 40-43
UH-1Y
AH-1Z		HMLA-267 DET.
CE xx
F-35BVMFA-225 DET. (*2)
WC 52, 53
MH-60SHSC-23 DET. (*1)
(*1) assigned to USS BOXER (LHD 4) rather than to 15th MEU(SOC)
(*2) VMFA-225 DET.
CE-225 169920
CE-01   169919
CE-03   169921
CE-05   169923
CE-06   169924
CE-07   169925
CE-08   169926
CE-09   170048
CE-10   170049
CE-15   169922 
Deployed :

03Jul2024       : departed San Diego

04Jul-05Jul2024 : embarked 15th MEU(SOC) and VMM-165(Rein)

06Jul-13Jul2024 : sea trials and SUSTEX

14Jul-15Jul2024 : San Diego

16Jul2024       : departed San Diego to begin Indo-Pacific deployment

09Aug-12Aug2024 : Busan Naval Base, South Korea

17Aug-20Aug2024 : Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan

25Aug2024       : anchored off the coast of Pohang, South Korea

26Aug-31Aug2024 : Busan Naval Base, South Korea

05Sep-10Sep2024 : Busan Naval Base, South Korea

16Sep-17Sep2024 : Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan

27Sep-28Sep2024 : Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan

30Sep-02Oct2024 : Busan Naval Base, South Korea

30Oct-01Nov2024 : Apra Harbor, Guam

12Nov-14Nov2024 : Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii

23Nov2024       : conducted offload off the coast of Camp Pendleton

24Nov2024       : returned to San Diego
Participated :
amphibious landing exercise Ssang Yong 2024
support the U.S. Agency for International Development's efforts
     in foreign disaster response operations
     following Typhoon Krathon
in support of a humanitarian aid and disaster relief training exercise KAMANDAG 8