in 1977 he returned to the 3rd marine aircraft wing and converted to the ah-1j attack helicopter serving with marine attack helicopter squadrons 369 and 169 and the marine aircraft group 39 staff. he served in the maintenance departments and also as the officer in charge of an ah-1t helicopter detachment deploying with marine medium helicopter squadron 265 aboard the . returning to the 3rd marine aircraft wing in 1982 he was assigned to marine light attack helicopter squadron 169 as the operations officer and later as the officer in charge of another ah-1t helicopter detachment deploying with marine medium helicopter squadron 165 aboard the .