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USMC Air Squadrons Marine Rotary 'HM' Helicopter Squadrons Cold War/Vietnam Era


Salvage Sailor
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Salvage Sailor

Aloha Everyone,

 

This is a catch-all topic similar to those on the Navy boards for posting your 'HM' type USMC Helicopter Squadron patches on one thread.

Feel free to add your own to the topic.

 

HMLA-269 GUNRUNNERS - Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 Desert Storm

 

In 1990, the Gunrunners deployed to Southwest Asia with twelve AH-1Ws, three AH-1Ts, and six UH-1Ns. These assets participated in a major 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade exercises during Operation Desert Shield. During Operation Desert Storm, the squadron conducted critical on-call close-in fire support, escort for minesweeping aircraft, Surface Combat Air Patrol, and air intercept operations. Meanwhile, Gunrunner Hueys played a vital role in the raid on Faylaka Island, firing in excess of seventy-five 2.75" rockets at fortified Iraqi positions under NVG low light level conditions.

 

USMC HMLA-269 001.jpg

USMC HMLA-269 002.jpg

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Salvage Sailor
HMT-301 WINDWALKERS Helicopter Training Squadron, Tustin CA 1970's


Restructuring of Marine Aviation led to the emergence of Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 301 (HMT-301) on March 31, 1972. The newly designated squadron flew both the CH-46 and CH-53A aircraft.


The squadron produced fleet ready aviators in these aircraft for the next ten years. In 1982 the CH-46 D/F models were replaced by the upgraded CH-46E. On December 13, 1983, HMT-301 took delivery of the first of the new Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters. With the activation of the new table of organization, which reflected the addition of the CH-53E and the Fleet Readiness Aviation Maintenance Personnel (FRAMP) program, HMT-301 officially became the largest squadron in the Marine Corps.


HMT-301’s sister squadron, HMT-302, was reactivated in November 1987, and 301’s CH-53A and CH-53E assets were transferred to HMT-302. HMT-301 was reduced from the largest squadron in the Marine Corps to a relatively small squadron with 10 CH-46E aircraft and 200 personnel. HMT-301 was deactivated at Marine Corps Air Station in Tustin, California. The squadron had successfully trained over 2500 Naval Aircrew, flying four different aircraft for over 130,000 hours.

USMC HMT 301 WINDWALKERS 002.jpg

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Salvage Sailor
HMM-261 DET J Raging Bulls, Operation Nimbus Stream, Mine Clearance of the Suez Canal 1975 operating from USS INCHON (LPH-12), Now redesignated as VMM-261

 

LPH 12 USS INCHON Nimbus Stream 001.jpg

LPH 12 USS INCHON Nimbus Stream 002a.jpg

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Salvage Sailor

HMH-363 The Lucky Red Lions - previously HMR/HMM-363 and now VMM-363 flying Ospreys

 

Patch from Kaneohe Bay circa 1970's

HMH 363 LUCKY RED LIONS 001.jpg

HMH 363 LUCKY RED LIONS 002.jpg

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  • 2 weeks later...

My son is a Captain in the Marines. He flies the MV-22. When he went in I started collecting some Marine history.

 

IH

post-12336-0-54913400-1501197690_thumb.jpg

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Viet made Marine squadrons are rare to come across. The smaller one is in country made, the larger looks to be Japanese. The UH-1 has YT-40 on the door. At first I was skeptical about it but soon found that the tail code YT was assigned to HMM-164. At some time it seems some gunships were attached to HMM-64. Too lazy to track it down.

 

IH

 

post-12336-0-35847700-1501259847.jpg

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HMM-165 used the call sign "Lady Ace" in Vietnam. This is depicted in the upper left corner of the top patch. Traditionally the squadron was "White Knights. The call sign Lady Ace was re instituted for use by the 1990's.

 

IH

post-12336-0-11029100-1501260441_thumb.jpg

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Typically they are considered Cruise Patches. We would design a different patch each time we deployed overseas. Some are very funny and others are much more serious. Nice patches, Semper Fi! - Jeff

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Salvage Sailor

HMH-462 HEAVY HAULERS - CH-53E Super Stallion heavy transport helicopters, Saudi Arabia, Desert Storm

USMC HMH 462 HEAVY HAULERS 001.jpg

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Salvage Sailor

1990's HMM-163 RIDGE RUNNERS, now converted to VMM-163 flying MV-22 Ospreys

USMC HMM 163 Ridgerunners 001.jpg

USMC HMM 163 Ridgerunners 002.jpg

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