25 Jun--HMM-162 replaces HMM-261 at Udorn as 3d MEW (MEB) helicopter element. 1 Jul--First Marine Combat units withdraw from Udorn, Thailand, as a display of good faith. 23 Jul--An agreement guaranteeing the neutrality of Laos is signed by the U.S., the Soviet Union, Communist China, North Vietnam, and 10 other nations at Geneva. 30 Jul--Col Julius W. Ireland relieves Col Carey as SHUFLY commander. 31 Jul--Last Marine combat units withdrawn from Udorn, Thailand. 1 Aug--HMM-163 replaces HMM-362 as operational squadron assigned to SHUFLY. Aug--First machine guns mounted on Marine helicopters operating in Vietnam. 4 Sep--Initial SHUFLY elements begin displacing to Da Nang in I Corps Tactical Zone. 18 Sep--HMM-163 conducts first combat operations in I Corps. 20 Sep--All SHUFLY elements are in place at Da Nang. Oct--LtCol Clarence G. Moody relieves LtCol Brown as Senior Marine Advisor to VNMC. 6 Oct--Five Marines and two U.S. Navy personnel killed in HUS crash near Tam Ky. 7 Nov--HMM-163 executes first tiger flight reaction force mission in I Corps. Nov--All Marine Corps aircraft redesignated. 6 Nov--Marine Task Unit (SHUFLY) redesignated Task Element 79.3.3.6. 6 Nov--LtCol Alton W. McCully assumes command of SHUFLY. Dec--Vietnamese Joint General Staff realigns South Vietnam’s Corps Tactical Zones, creating a fourth CTZ and a Capital Military District. 1963 11 Jan--HMM-162 replaces HMM-163 as SHUFLY’s operational squadron. 19 Jan--HMM-162 conducts its first combat troop lift in Vietnam. 10–13 Mar--HMM-162 helicopters participate in search and rescue attempts for U.S. Army OV-1 Mohawk and crew. Two Marine helicopters crash in high mountains of northern II Corps. 13 Apr--Marine transport helicopters conduct first operation with U.S. Army UH-1B armed helicopters. Apr--Organization of Marine Advisory Division modified slightly. 1 May--Provisional Marine Brigade joins ARVN forces for operation in Do Xa base area. 8 Jun--HMM-261 replaces HMM-162 as SHUFLY’s operational squadron. 15–16 Aug--HMM-261 helilifts 2d ARVN Division units from field to culminate operation LAM SON XII. 21 Aug--Vietnamese National Police raid Buddhist pagodas throughout South Vietnam. Sep--LtCol Wesley C. Noren relieves LtCol Moody as Senior Marine Advisor to VNMC. 2 Oct--HMM-361 replaces HMM-261 as SHUFLY’s operational squadron. Oct--Provisional Marine Regiment conducts operation PHI-HOA 5 in Gia Dinh Province. 1 Nov--Diem government overthrown by coup of military leaders. Diem and brother Ngo Dinh Nhu assassinated. 14 Nov--Provisional Marine Regiment launches Operation DAI-PHONG 28 and 29 in III Corps Tactical Zone. 25 Nov--2d VNMC Battalion participates in Operation DAI-PHONG 30.