James E. Magel and the rescue of wounded gunner Sgt Billie Owens. For most U.S. citizens, this was the first time they were made aware of the extent of America's involvement in Vietnam. On 21 June the squadron was replaced by HMM-261 and joined the Special Landing Force (SLF) onboard . The squadron then supported Operation Starlite landing the 3rd Battalion 7th Marines. In September the squadron supported Operation Dagger Thrust. On 11 October HMM-261 replaced the squadron as the SLF helicopter squadron. In late October 1965, HMM-163 relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. Captain Al Barbes, the Squadron Intelligence Officer and husband to a Filipina bride, offered a suggestion. Because of Asian culture and beliefs, he proposed that eyes painted on the unit aircraft might have an unsettling effect upon the enemy, thus the concept of "The Eyes" on the front of HMM-163 aircraft was born. On 1 January 1966, HMM-163 flew to Phu Bai Combat Base, South Vietnam, relieved HMM-161, and took over all their H-34 helicopters. Painting of what were then called "Genie Eyes" (after the I Dream of Jeannie TV show) began immediately. By March 1966, HMM-163's "Genie Eyes" were being called "Evil Eyes" by the ground units supported. From 26 February to 3 March the squadron supported Operation New York. On 9 March 1966, the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 95th Regiment, 325th Division attacked the Special Forces camp in the A Shau Valley about southwest of Huế in Thừa Thiên Province. Defending the camp were 10 Green Berets and 210 South Vietnamese Civilian Irregular Defense Group. The squadron flew over 2,000 flight hours in ten days during the battle in which 190 survivors were rescued from capture in the face of heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire. During the battle, 21 of the 24 aircraft assigned to the squadron suffered "major damage" including two that were shot down. The squadron supported Operation Oregon from 19-23 March. It then supported Operation Texas in which one UH-34 was shot down by Vietcong (VC) antiaircraft fire killing three crewmen and seven Marines from 3rd Battalion 1st Marines. In mid-April the squadron supported Operation Virginia around Khe Sanh Combat Base. The squadron left South Vietnam on 1 August 1966 and joined Task Group 79.2 from 2 to 28 October and returned to South Vietnam on 1 November 1966. The squadron again returned to Phu Bai, still with