HMM-262
Encyclopedia
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (HMM-262) is a United States Marine Corps
helicopter squadron consisting of CH-46E Sea Knight
transport helicopters. The squadron, known as the "Flying Tigers", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma
, Okinawa, Japan
and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 36
(MAG-36) and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
(1st MAW).
transport of combat troops, raids, supplies and equipment during expeditionary, joint or combined operations. Be prepared for short-notice, worldwide employment in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force
operations.
, North Carolina and designated Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 262 (HMR-262). Although activated during the Korean War
, the squadron remained on the U.S. east coast
providing helicopter support for the Fleet Marine Force
units of that area. In February 1952, the Squadron was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 26
. During July 1954, the Squadron was relocated to Marine Corps Air Station New River
, North Carolina where it remained until 1966.
On February 1, 1962, the Squadron’s designation was changed to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 and, in April through June 1965, HMM-262 participated in Operation Powerpack in the Dominican Republic
.
, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
. The squadron supported operation during the Vietnam War
and operated from Ky Ha, Marble Mountain Air Facility
, Quang Tri
, Phu Bai and the USS Tripoli
while participating in numerous operations throughout the country.
, Hawaii during 1971 and was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 24
.
The Flying Tigers boarded the USS Belleau Wood
in March 1990 to become the first Hawaii-based helicopter squadron to deploy aboard ship since 1985. In August 1990, HMM-262 deployed to Okinawa, Japan on UDP (Unit Deployment Plan) and repositioned its flag in September 1990 to NAS Cubi Point
, Republic of the Philippines, to become the ACE (air combat element) in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force 4-90 (MAGTF 4-90). The Squadron participated in emergency flood/earthquake relief efforts and was extended overseas due to Operation Desert Shield/Storm
and returned to Hawaii on June 4, 1991.
In September 1992, the Flying Tigers once again embarked aboard the USS Belleau Wood and participated in Hurricane Iniki
relief efforts on the island of Kauai
. On September 27, 1992, the Squadron transferred its home base to MAG-36, 1st MAW, Okinawa. This effectively transitioned the Flying Tigers to become the first permanently assigned HMM squadron in the region since 1978.
to the new nation of East Timor
for humanitarian assistance operations. As all Unit Deployment Program personnel were frozen in December 2001, the Squadron concluded the year with a “Be Prepared To” order to remain the ACE for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit
(MEU) and to prepare for potential contingency operations. After 18 months as the ACE of the 31st MEU, the Squadron was again reassigned to MAG-36 and was named a Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award winner for calendar year 2002.
In December 2004, HMM-262 deployed to the Philippines
as part of Joint Task Force-535 in support of its Humanitarian Aid/Disaster Relief (HA/DR) mission. In only nine days of flying, the Squadron delivered over 204,800 pounds of food, water, and supplies to an isolated area that had been devastated by flooding and mudslides resulting from a succession of typhoons.
.
From January through March 2005, HMM-262 deployed aboard the USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43)
and the USS Essex (LHD-2)
as part of Joint Task Force-536 in support of Operation Unified Assistance
, the HA/DR effort following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
/tsunami. Operating off the northwestern coast of Sumatra
, Indonesia
, HMM-262 supported the effort by delivering aid and supplies to the victims of the massive tsunamis. During the period from January 14 to February 9, the Squadron delivered over 493,755 pounds of food, water, and other supplies to an area that spanned over 120 miles (193.1 km) of coastline. At the conclusion of this effort the Squadron was selected to provide helicopter lift on 19 & 20 February 2005 for former Presidents Bill Clinton
and George H.W. Bush during their tour of the tsunami-devastated areas of Thailand
and Indonesia
.
In February 2006, the squadron was again onboard the USS Essex as part of the 31st MEU when called to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the 2006 Southern Leyte mudslide
.
In January 2007, HMM-262 deployed to Iraq
in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This marked the first combat deployment of the squadron since the Vietnam War. The squadron was based at Al Taqaddum Air Base and their mission was to provide assault support for II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) units in Al Anbar Province. From February to May 2007 the squadron flew 1,574 sorties totaling 2,532 flight hours. They also had one Marine killed in action
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-46E Sea Knight
CH-46 Sea Knight
The Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight is a medium-lift tandem rotor transport helicopter, used by the United States Marine Corps to provide all-weather, day-or-night assault transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment. Assault Support is its primary function, and the movement of supplies and...
transport helicopters. The squadron, known as the "Flying Tigers", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma
Marine Corps Air Station Futenma
Marine Corps Air Station Futenma or MCAS Futenma is a United States Marine Corps base located in Ginowan, northeast of Naha, on the island of Okinawa. It is home to approximately 4,000 Marines of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and has been a U.S. military airbase since the island was occupied...
, Okinawa, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 36
Marine Aircraft Group 36
Marine Aircraft Group 36 is an active air group of the United States Marine Corps, tasked with providing assault support aircraft. It is currently part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing , itself an integral part of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, and based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in...
(MAG-36) and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
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...
(1st MAW).
Mission
Provide assault supportAssault Support
Assault Support is one of the six functions of United States Marine Corps aviation and comprises those actions required to airlift personnel, supplies or equipment into or within a battle area by helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft. It provides the Marine Air-Ground Task Force commander the...
transport of combat troops, raids, supplies and equipment during expeditionary, joint or combined operations. Be prepared for short-notice, worldwide employment in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force
Marine Air-Ground Task Force
The Marine Air-Ground Task Force is a term used by the United States Marine Corps to describe the principal organization for all missions across the range of military operations. MAGTFs are a balanced air-ground, combined arms task organization of Marine Corps forces under a single commander that...
operations.
Early years
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 was activated in September 1951 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry PointMarine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point or MCAS Cherry Point is a United States Marine Corps airfield located in Havelock, North Carolina, USA, in the eastern part of the state...
, North Carolina and designated Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 262 (HMR-262). Although activated during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, the squadron remained on the U.S. east coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
providing helicopter support for the Fleet Marine Force
Fleet Marine Force
The United States Fleet Marine Forces are combined general and special purpose forces within the United States Department of the Navy that are designed in engaging offensive amphibious or expeditionary warfare and defensive maritime employment...
units of that area. In February 1952, the Squadron was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 26
Marine Aircraft Group 26
Marine Aircraft Group 26 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station New River that is currently composed of seven MV-22 Osprey squadrons one of which is the Fleet Replacement Squadron and one aviation logistics squadron...
. During July 1954, the Squadron was relocated to Marine Corps Air Station 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...
, North Carolina where it remained until 1966.
On February 1, 1962, the Squadron’s designation was changed to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 and, in April through June 1965, HMM-262 participated in Operation Powerpack in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
.
Vietnam
HMM-262 was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam in December 1966 and subsequently reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 36Marine Aircraft Group 36
Marine Aircraft Group 36 is an active air group of the United States Marine Corps, tasked with providing assault support aircraft. It is currently part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing , itself an integral part of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, and based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in...
, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
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 supported operation during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
and operated from Ky Ha, Marble Mountain Air Facility
Marble Mountain
-Mountains:* Marble Mountains , Vietnam* Marble Mountains in California, USA* Marble Mountains in California, USA* Marble Mountain in Newfoundland, Canada-Communities:...
, Quang Tri
Quang Tri
Quảng Trị is a town district of Quang Tri province in the North Central Coastal region of Vietnam. Significantly, it was the only South Vietnamese provincial capital to be captured by the North Vietnamese forces for a limited period in the 1972 offensive....
, Phu Bai and the USS Tripoli
USS Tripoli (LPH-10)
USS Tripoli , an , was laid down on 15 June 1964 at Pascagoula, Mississippi, by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation; launched on 31 July 1965; sponsored by Mrs. Jane Cates, the wife of General Clifton B. Cates, former Commandant of the Marine Corps; and commissioned on 6 August 1966 at the...
while participating in numerous operations throughout the country.
Post Vietnam
With the withdrawal of troops from Vietnam, HMM-262 relocated to MCAS Kaneohe BayMarine Corps Base Hawaii
Marine Corps Base Hawaii , formerly Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe Bay and originally Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay, is a U.S. Marine Corps base facility and air station located on the Mokapu Peninsula of windward O'ahu in the City & County of Honolulu. As of the 2000 Census, the base had a...
, Hawaii during 1971 and was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 24
Marine Aircraft Group 24
Marine Aircraft Group 24 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Facility Kaneohe Bay that is currently composed of three CH-53D Sea Stallion squadrons, a personnel support detachment and a maintenance and logistics squadron...
.
The Flying Tigers boarded the USS Belleau Wood
USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3)
USS Belleau Wood , nicknamed "Devil Dog", was the second ship named after the battle of Belleau Wood in World War I. Her keel was laid down on 5 March 1973 at Pascagoula, Mississippi, by Ingalls Shipbuilding. She was launched on 11 April 1977, and commissioned on 23 September 1978, with Captain T.C...
in March 1990 to become the first Hawaii-based helicopter squadron to deploy aboard ship since 1985. In August 1990, HMM-262 deployed to Okinawa, Japan on UDP (Unit Deployment Plan) and repositioned its flag in September 1990 to NAS Cubi Point
Subic Bay
Subic Bay is a bay forming part of Luzon Sea on the west coast of the island of Luzon in Zambales, Philippines, about 100 kilometers northwest of Manila Bay. Its shores were formerly the site of a major United States Navy facility named U.S...
, Republic of the Philippines, to become the ACE (air combat element) in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force 4-90 (MAGTF 4-90). The Squadron participated in emergency flood/earthquake relief efforts and was extended overseas due to Operation Desert Shield/Storm
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
and returned to Hawaii on June 4, 1991.
In September 1992, the Flying Tigers once again embarked aboard the USS Belleau Wood and participated in Hurricane Iniki
Hurricane Iniki
Hurricane Iniki was the most powerful hurricane to strike the U.S. state of Hawaii in recorded history. Forming on September 5 during the strong El Niño of 1991–1994, Iniki was one of eleven Central Pacific tropical cyclones during the 1992 season. It attained tropical storm status on...
relief efforts on the island of Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
. On September 27, 1992, the Squadron transferred its home base to MAG-36, 1st MAW, Okinawa. This effectively transitioned the Flying Tigers to become the first permanently assigned HMM squadron in the region since 1978.
Recently
In October 2002, HMM-262 (REIN) sent a detachment of personnel and aircraft aboard the USS Harpers FerryUSS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49)
USS Harpers Ferry is the lead ship of her class of landing ship dock of the United States Navy. This warship was named for the town of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, which, because of the Federal arsenal there, was an important location during the Civil War. , Harpers Ferry is commanded by...
to the new nation of East Timor
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
for humanitarian assistance operations. As all Unit Deployment Program personnel were frozen in December 2001, the Squadron concluded the year with a “Be Prepared To” order to remain the ACE for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit
The 31st 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) and to prepare for potential contingency operations. After 18 months as the ACE of the 31st MEU, the Squadron was again reassigned to MAG-36 and was named a Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award winner for calendar year 2002.
In December 2004, HMM-262 deployed to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
as part of Joint Task Force-535 in support of its Humanitarian Aid/Disaster Relief (HA/DR) mission. In only nine days of flying, the Squadron delivered over 204,800 pounds of food, water, and supplies to an isolated area that had been devastated by flooding and mudslides resulting from a succession of typhoons.
From January through March 2005, HMM-262 deployed aboard the USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43)
USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43)
is a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship of the United States Navy. She was named for Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, Maryland, the 1814 defense of which inspired The Star-Spangled Banner....
and the USS Essex (LHD-2)
USS Essex (LHD-2)
USS Essex is a built at what is now Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and commissioned on 17 October 1992 while moored at North Island NAS beside the Kitty Hawk . It is the fifth ship named for Essex County, Massachusetts...
as part of Joint Task Force-536 in support of Operation Unified Assistance
Operation Unified Assistance
Operation Unified Assistance is the name of the United States military's response to the tsunami of 2004.-Overview:On 28 December, the first elements of the Combined Support Force were deployed to Utapao, Thailand following that country's approval of the use of that base.More than 12,600...
, the HA/DR effort following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on Sunday, December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake...
/tsunami. Operating off the northwestern coast of Sumatra
Sumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, HMM-262 supported the effort by delivering aid and supplies to the victims of the massive tsunamis. During the period from January 14 to February 9, the Squadron delivered over 493,755 pounds of food, water, and other supplies to an area that spanned over 120 miles (193.1 km) of coastline. At the conclusion of this effort the Squadron was selected to provide helicopter lift on 19 & 20 February 2005 for former Presidents Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and George H.W. Bush during their tour of the tsunami-devastated areas of Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
.
In February 2006, the squadron was again onboard the USS Essex as part of the 31st MEU when called to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the 2006 Southern Leyte mudslide
2006 Southern Leyte mudslide
A massive rock slide-debris avalanche occurred on 17 February 2006 in the Philippine province of Southern Leyte that caused widespread damage and loss of life. The deadly landslide followed a ten-day period of heavy rains and a minor earthquake of magnitude 2.6 on the Richter scale...
.
In January 2007, HMM-262 deployed to Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This marked the first combat deployment of the squadron since the Vietnam War. The squadron was based at Al Taqaddum Air Base and their mission was to provide assault support for II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) units in Al Anbar Province. From February to May 2007 the squadron flew 1,574 sorties totaling 2,532 flight hours. They also had one Marine killed in action
See also
- 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....
- Organization of the United States Marine CorpsOrganization of the United States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is organized within the Department of the Navy, which is led by the Secretary of the Navy . The most senior Marine officer is the Commandant of the Marine Corps, responsible for organizing, recruiting, training, and equipping the Marine Corps so that it is ready for...
- List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons