a four-plane detachment of CH-53A Sea Stallions from HMH-463 joined the group at MMAF. They were the first increment of a phased replacement of the obsolescent CH-37s. On 4 October with the transfer of Marine Aircraft Group 36 (MAG-36) north from Kỳ Hà to Phu Bai the group squadrons at Phu Bai, VMO-3, HMM-164, HMM-362 and MATCU-62 and MACTU-68 were transferred to MAG-36 while HMM-265 at MMAF was transferred to the group. From 28 December group squadrons supported Operation Auburn. At the beginning of 1968 the group comprised H&MS-16, MABS-16, VMO-2, HMM-262, HMM-265, HMM-363 and HMH-463. H&MS-16 had a detachment of 14 O-1C/G Bird Dog air control and observation aircraft and one C-117D Skytrain transport. The group also had operational control of the U.S. Army's 245th Surveillance Aircraft Company, equipped with 18 OV-1 Mohawk aircraft designed for tactical aerial reconnaissance. The group generally supported the 1st Marine Division, but also flew missions on behalf of the 3rd Marine Division, South Korean 2nd Marine Brigade and U.S. Army 23rd Infantry Division. It also performed a myriad of tasks for the South Vietnamese military units and the related Revolutionary Development pacification campaign. On 10 February HMM-361 was transferred to the group and HMM-363 was transferred to Special Landing Force (SLF) Alpha. On 16 June HMM-265 was transferred to SLF Bravo. On 6 September HMM-362 was transferred from SLF Alpha to the group. On 30 September HMM-265 was transferred to MAG-36. From late October the group supported Operation Henderson Hill. On 7 December HMM-362 returned to SLF Alpha. On 10 December HMM-364 was transferred to the group. At the beginning of 1969 the group comprised HMM-164, HMM-165, HMM-364, HMH-463 and VMO-2 with UH-1Es and OV-10A Broncos. In August HMH-361 equipped with CH-53s joined the group and HMH-462 left the group with the redeployment of MAG-36 in November. On 16 October HML-167 equipped with UH-1E gunships, HMM-161 and HMM-262 joined the group from MAG-36. At the beginning of 1970 the group comprised HML-167, HML-367 equipped with AH-1G Cobras, HMM-263, HMM-364, HMH-361, HMH-463 and VMO-2 at MMAF and HMM-161 and HMM-262 at Phu Bai which were transferred to the group following the redeployment of MAG-36. In April 1970 the group began using a night helicopter patrol, codenamed Night Hawk, consisting of a CH-46D equipped with a night observation device and two .50-caliber machine guns and accompanied by two AH-1Gs, the Night Hawk patrolled the Da