HML-776
Encyclopedia
Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 776 (HMM-776) was a reserve helicopter squadron of the United States Marine Corps
. The squadron was based at Naval Air Station Glenview, Illinois
and fell under Marine Air Control Group 48
and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
. HML-776 was deactivated on July 1, 1994.
on April 1, 1959. They were the second helicopter squadron to form at NAS Glenview after HMR-763 was activated in April 1958. In April 1962, the squadron was redesignated Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 776 (HMM-776). The redesignated HMM-763 was deactivated 30 September 1962 and its personnel reassigned to HMM-776. Another change in designation took place in 1972 when the squadron traded in its UH-34Ds for UH-1Es
, and was again redesignated to its final name, HML-776. In January 1979 the squadron was reassigned to Marine Air Control Group 48
.
In 1990, HML-776 was called to active duty in support of Operation Desert Storm and was deployed to Okinawa to fill a gap in forces left by the deployment of active duty forces to Southwest Asia
. In 1991, while assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 36
, HML-776 was sent to the Philippines
to assist in relief operations following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo
. The squadron returned to NAS Glenview in 1991 and returned to reserve status. In 1994, as part of the reorganization of the Marine Forces Reserve, HML-776 was deactivated. The squadron’s personnel and aircraft were transferred to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, Pennsylvania
, and formed HMLA-773
, Detachment A.
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...
. The squadron was based at Naval Air Station Glenview, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
and fell under Marine Air Control Group 48
Marine Air Control Group 48
Marine Air Control Group 48 is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control unit based at Naval Station Great Lakes that is currently composed of 6 squadrons that provide the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Forces Reserve with a tactical headquarters, positive and procedural...
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...
. HML-776 was deactivated on July 1, 1994.
History
Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 776 (HMR-776) was activated at Naval Air Station Glenview, IllinoisIllinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
on April 1, 1959. They were the second helicopter squadron to form at NAS Glenview after HMR-763 was activated in April 1958. In April 1962, the squadron was redesignated Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 776 (HMM-776). The redesignated HMM-763 was deactivated 30 September 1962 and its personnel reassigned to HMM-776. Another change in designation took place in 1972 when the squadron traded in its UH-34Ds for UH-1Es
UH-1 Iroquois
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew...
, and was again redesignated to its final name, HML-776. In January 1979 the squadron was reassigned to Marine Air Control Group 48
Marine Air Control Group 48
Marine Air Control Group 48 is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control unit based at Naval Station Great Lakes that is currently composed of 6 squadrons that provide the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Forces Reserve with a tactical headquarters, positive and procedural...
.
In 1990, HML-776 was called to active duty in support of Operation Desert Storm and was deployed to Okinawa to fill a gap in forces left by the deployment of active duty forces to Southwest Asia
Southwest Asia
Western Asia, West Asia, Southwest Asia or Southwestern Asia are terms that describe the westernmost portion of Asia. The terms are partly coterminous with the Middle East, which describes a geographical position in relation to Western Europe rather than its location within Asia...
. In 1991, while assigned to 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...
, HML-776 was sent 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...
to assist in relief operations following the eruption of 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...
. The squadron returned to NAS Glenview in 1991 and returned to reserve status. In 1994, as part of the reorganization of the Marine Forces Reserve, HML-776 was deactivated. The squadron’s personnel and aircraft were transferred to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, 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...
, and formed HMLA-773
HMLA-773
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters and UH-1N Huey utility helicopters. The squadron is based at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 49 ...
, Detachment A.
Unit awards
A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation. HML-776has been presented with the following awards:| Ribbon | Unit Award |
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Joint Meritorious Unit Award Joint Meritorious Unit Award The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982... |
 |
Navy Unit Commendation Navy Unit Commendation The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944... |
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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.... |
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National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... |
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....
- List of inactive United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
- List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons