HMH-772
Encyclopedia
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 (HMH-772) is a United States Marine Corps
helicopter squadron consisting of CH-53E Super Stallion
transport helicopters. The squadron, known as "Hustler" or "the Hustlers", is based at McGuire AFB, New Jersey
and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 49
(MAG-49) and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
(4th MAW).
, Pennsylvania
as part of the United States Marine Corps Reserve. The squadron was redesignated April 1, 1962 as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 772 (HMM-772) and reassigned in February 1965 to Marine Aircraft Group 43 under the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
.
, New Jersey
. The following year, 1971, HMH-772 transitioned to the more capable CH-53A Sea Stallion helicopter. Redesignated Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772, the squadron returned to NAS Willow Grove in 1972 and joined MAG-49.
In Jan of 1986, the squadron was asked to support the SAR
effort following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
.
and awaited further orders to Okinawa, Japan. While in Okinawa with the 1st MAW
the Squadron transitioned to the CH-53D aircraft. From Okinawa the squadron embarked aboard the and provided support for Operation Fiery Vigil
, which was the evacuation of personnel from the Republic of the Philippines after the volcano Mount Pinatubo
erupted. During this time the squadron also provided support for Operation Sea Angle the humanitarian relief operations in Bangladesh
. For these actions HMH-772 was awarded another Meritorious Unit Commendation
. The Squadron returned to CONUS in November 1991, was deactivated and was reassigned back to the 4th MAW
.
HMH-772 was mobilized once again and activated on January 27, 2002 in support of Operation Noble Eagle
and Operation Enduring Freedom. Within two weeks of the activation the squadron relocated to MCAS New River
, NC and was assigned to MAG-29
within the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
. The squadron was given tasking to integrate with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
(MEU) Air Combat Element (ACE) HMM-263. At the completion of the workup cycle HMH-772 had the distinction of being the first reserve squadron to receive the Special Operations Capable (SOC) designation.
While deployed the HMH-772 (Det) provided heavy lift support for Operational Rehearsal Dynamic Response 2002 in Kosovo
. After Kosovo the detachment then moved onto Djibouti
and for the next 5 months provided support for the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa
(CJTF-HOA). After Djibouti the detachment rejoined the 24th MEU and provided support for Task Force Tarawa
and the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force
during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The detachment was deployed overseas for 9 months and returned in May 2003.
In June 2009, HMH-772 (-) (REIN) part of MAG-40 moved to Camp Leatherneck
in the Helmand Province
to begin supporting operations in the region.
The “Hustlers” took part in Operation Strike of the Sword
(Operation Khanjar), the largest movement of Marines Since the Vietnam War.
HMH-772 (-) (REIN) was the first unit to airlift the Marine Corps M777A2 Howitzer
in combat. The howitzers were lifted from Fire Base Fiddler's Green
and taken to FOB Golestan.
After spending 8 months deployed, the “Hustlers” of HMH-772 (-) returned to NAS JRB Willow Grove, PA in December 2009. They later de-mobilized on March 24th 2010 and continue to provide support to the Fleet Marine Force.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
helicopter squadron consisting of CH-53E Super Stallion
CH-53E Super Stallion
The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is the largest and heaviest helicopter in the United States military. It was developed from the CH-53 Sea Stallion, mainly by adding a third engine, a seventh blade to the main rotor and canting the tail rotor 20 degrees. Sailors commonly refer to the Super...
transport helicopters. The squadron, known as "Hustler" or "the Hustlers", is based at McGuire AFB, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 49
Marine Aircraft Group 49
Marine Aircraft Group 49 is a United States Marine Corps reserve aviation unit based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, Pennsylvania that is currently composed of one CH-46 Sea Knight, one CH-53E Super Stallion, three AH-1W Super Cobra, one KC-130 and a maintenance and logistics...
(MAG-49) and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
4th Marine Aircraft Wing
The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing is the reserve airwing of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana but its subordinate units are scattered throughout the United States...
(4th MAW).
Mission
Provide the active component a combat ready force to augment and reinforce regular forces in Major Regional Contingency (MRC) and to provide relief to these forces during times of high tempo operations. Training must be such that this integration is seamless. Additionally, HMH-772 will reach out to the community in which it serves to tell the Marine Corps story, establish a civilian support base, and when so tasked, to provide assistance to the community during emergencies or disaster relief.History
Early years
Helicopter Transport Squadron 772 (HMR-772) was activated on April 15, 1958 at the Marine Air Reserve Training Command, Willow GroveWillow Grove
Willow Grove may refer to:* Willow Grove , listed on the NRHP in Maryland* Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, United States* Willow Grove , listed on the NRHP in Virginia* Willow Grove Park, Pennsylvania...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
as part of the United States Marine Corps Reserve. The squadron was redesignated April 1, 1962 as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 772 (HMM-772) and reassigned in February 1965 to Marine Aircraft Group 43 under the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
4th Marine Aircraft Wing
The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing is the reserve airwing of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana but its subordinate units are scattered throughout the United States...
.
Vietnam War & the 1980s
In 1970 the squadron moved from NAS Willow Grove, PA to NAS LakehurstNaval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst
JB MDL Lakehurst is a United States Navy base located approximately south-southeast of Trenton, New Jersey. Lakehurst is under the jurisdiction of the Naval Air Systems Command...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. The following year, 1971, HMH-772 transitioned to the more capable CH-53A Sea Stallion helicopter. Redesignated Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772, the squadron returned to NAS Willow Grove in 1972 and joined MAG-49.
In Jan of 1986, the squadron was asked to support the SAR
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
effort following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster occurred on January 28, 1986, when Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, leading to the deaths of its seven crew members. The spacecraft disintegrated over the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of central Florida at 11:38 am EST...
.
The Gulf War & the 1990s
In 1991 the Squadron was mobilized in support of Operation Desert Storm. The squadron aircrew flew fourteen (14) CH-53A aircraft across the country to join the 3rd MAW3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
The 3d Marine Aircraft Wing is the major west coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and provides the aviation combat element for I Marine Expeditionary Force...
and awaited further orders to Okinawa, Japan. While in Okinawa with the 1st MAW
1st Marine Aircraft Wing
The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps that serves as the Aviation Combat Element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The wing is headquartered at Camp Foster on the island of Okinawa, Japan...
the Squadron transitioned to the CH-53D aircraft. From Okinawa the squadron embarked aboard the and provided support for Operation Fiery Vigil
Operation Fiery Vigil
Operation Fiery Vigil was the emergency evacuation of all non-essential military and United States Department of Defense civilian personnel and their dependents from Clark Air Base and U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay during the June 1991 volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines...
, which was the evacuation of personnel from the Republic of the Philippines after the volcano Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It is located in the Tri-Cabusilan Mountain range separating the west coast of Luzon from the central plains, and is west of the dormant and...
erupted. During this time the squadron also provided support for Operation Sea Angle the humanitarian relief operations in Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. For these actions HMH-772 was awarded another Meritorious Unit Commendation
Meritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
. The Squadron returned to CONUS in November 1991, was deactivated and was reassigned back to the 4th MAW
4th Marine Aircraft Wing
The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing is the reserve airwing of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana but its subordinate units are scattered throughout the United States...
.
The Global War on Terror
After 9/11September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
HMH-772 was mobilized once again and activated on January 27, 2002 in support of Operation Noble Eagle
Operation Noble Eagle
Operation Noble Eagle is the name given to military operations related to homelandsecurity and support to federal, state, and local agencies...
and Operation Enduring Freedom. Within two weeks of the activation the squadron relocated to MCAS New River
Marine Corps Air Station New River
Marine Corps Air Station New River is a United States Marine Corps helicopter base in Jacksonville, North Carolina, in the eastern part of the state. In 1972, the airfield was named McCutcheon Field for Brigadier General Keith B. McCutcheon, one of the fathers of Marine Corps helicopter aviation...
, NC and was assigned to MAG-29
Marine Aircraft Group 29
Marine Aircraft Group 29 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station New River that is currently composed of four CH-53E Super Stallion squadrons including the Fleet Replacement Squadron, three Light Attack Squadron flying AH-1W SuperCobras and UH-1N Twin Hueys,...
within the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing is the major east coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps and is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina...
. The squadron was given tasking to integrate with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel...
(MEU) Air Combat Element (ACE) HMM-263. At the completion of the workup cycle HMH-772 had the distinction of being the first reserve squadron to receive the Special Operations Capable (SOC) designation.
While deployed the HMH-772 (Det) provided heavy lift support for Operational Rehearsal Dynamic Response 2002 in Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
. After Kosovo the detachment then moved onto Djibouti
Djibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
and for the next 5 months provided support for the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa
Operation Enduring Freedom - Horn of Africa
Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa is a joint task force of United States Africa Command . It originated under Operation Enduring Freedom-Horn of Africa as part of the United States response to the September 11, 2001 attacks...
(CJTF-HOA). After Djibouti the detachment rejoined the 24th MEU and provided support for Task Force Tarawa
Task Force Tarawa
Task Force Tarawa was the name given to the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. They were a Marine Air-Ground Task Force commanded by Brigadier General Richard F...
and the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force
1st Marine Expeditionary Force
The I Marine Expeditionary Force is a Marine Air Ground Task Force of the United States Marine Corps primarily composed of the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and 1st Marine Logistics Group...
during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The detachment was deployed overseas for 9 months and returned in May 2003.
Operation Enduring Freedom
On March 25, 2009 HMH-772 (-) was mobilized to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. As part of the workup, HMH-772 broke down five CH-53E Super Stallions for Air Force C-5 and C-17 transport to Afghanistan. On April 30, 2009, approximately 100 Marines departed NAS JRB Willow Grove. These Marines joined with HMH-361 (DET) at Kandahar Air Base. The remaining Marine arrived with the five CH-53Es throughout the month of May.In June 2009, HMH-772 (-) (REIN) part of MAG-40 moved to Camp Leatherneck
Camp Leatherneck
Camp Leatherneck is a 1,600 acre United States Marine Corps base located in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade initially developed Camp Leatherneck in 2008 in preparation of its forces deploying to Afghanistan. The forward element of the II Marine Expeditionary Force...
in the Helmand Province
Helmand Province
Helmand is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the southwest of the country. Its capital is Lashkar Gah. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region, providing water for irrigation....
to begin supporting operations in the region.
The “Hustlers” took part in Operation Strike of the Sword
Operation Strike of the Sword
Operation Strike of the Sword or Operation Khanjar was a US-led offensive in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan. About 4,000 Marines from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade as well as 650 Afghan troops were involved, supported by NATO planes. The operation began when units moved into the...
(Operation Khanjar), the largest movement of Marines Since the Vietnam War.
HMH-772 (-) (REIN) was the first unit to airlift the Marine Corps M777A2 Howitzer
M777 howitzer
The M777 howitzer is a towed 155 mm artillery piece, successor to the M198 howitzer in the United States Marine Corps and United States Army. The M777 is also used by the Canadian Army, and has been in action in Afghanistan since February 2006 along with the associated GPS-guided Excalibur...
in combat. The howitzers were lifted from Fire Base Fiddler's Green
Fiddler's Green (FOB)
Fiddler's Green is an expeditionary fire base in Afghanistan built by the United States Marine Corps. It is located off Route 605 in Nawa-I-Barakzayi District of Helmand Province...
and taken to FOB Golestan.
After spending 8 months deployed, the “Hustlers” of HMH-772 (-) returned to NAS JRB Willow Grove, PA in December 2009. They later de-mobilized on March 24th 2010 and continue to provide support to the Fleet Marine Force.
See also
- List of United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
- United States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps Aviation is the air component of the United States Marine Corps. Marine aviation has a very different mission and operation than its ground counterpart, and thus, has many of its own histories, traditions, terms, and procedures....