HMLAT-303
Encyclopedia
Marine Light Attack Training Squadron 303 (HMLAT-303), is a United States Marine Corps
helicopter training squadron stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
, California
. Known as the "Atlas", HMT-303 trains newly commissioned Naval Aviator
s, conversion pilots, refresher pilots, and enlisted aircrew on the AH-1W SuperCobra
and the UH-1N Twin Huey
. HMLAT-303 is also to begin training with the new UH-1Y Venom
and AH-1Z Viper
helicopters. It is part of Marine Aircraft Group 39
(MAG-39) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
(3rd MAW).
, California, HMLAT-303 conducts an extensive training syllabus to include: familiarization, navigation, ordnance, terrain, formation, instrument and night vision goggle flight. The squadron periodically deploys to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
, Arizona
, where training efficiency is enhanced due to the proximity of ordnance delivery ranges and superb weather conditions.
HMLAT-303 has trained AH-1W Cobra and UH-1N Huey pilots for the Marine Corps and Navy
for more than 20 years, and has begun training new AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom pilots. HMLAT-303 is the only Marine Corps squadron tasked with training Navy SAR
pilots and newly designated Naval Aviator
s destined to become AH-1W and UH-1N/HH-1N replacement, refresher, and conversion pilots. Although the training mission assigned to HMLAT-303 requires sustained high tempo operations, the squadron had flown over 250,000 Class A and B mishap free flight hours until September 20th, 2011, when a AH-1W Super Cobra crashed during a training exercise, killing both pilots.
In addition to flight training, HMLAT-303 manages the fleet-wide NATOPS
standardization program for the H-1, conducts Instrument Ground School for all of MAG-39 aircrew, and is responsible for the scheduling of the AH-1W/Z and the UH-1Y Weapons System Trainers and the AH Aircrew Procedures Trainer.
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 training squadron stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Known as the "Atlas", HMT-303 trains newly commissioned Naval Aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
s, conversion pilots, refresher pilots, and enlisted aircrew on the AH-1W SuperCobra
AH-1 Cobra
The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a two-bladed, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It shares a common engine, transmission and rotor system with the older UH-1 Iroquois...
and the UH-1N Twin Huey
UH-1N Twin Huey
The Bell UH-1N Twin Huey is a medium military helicopter that first flew in April, 1969. The UH-1N has a fifteen seat configuration, with one pilot and fourteen passengers. In cargo configuration the UH-1N has an internal capacity of 220 ft³ . An external load of 5,000 lb can be carried...
. HMLAT-303 is also to begin training with the new UH-1Y Venom
UH-1Y Venom
The Bell UH-1Y Venom is a twin-engine medium size utility helicopter, part of the United States Marine Corps' H-1 upgrade program. The helicopter is also called Yankee for its variant letter....
and AH-1Z Viper
AH-1Z Viper
The Bell AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter based on the AH-1W SuperCobra, that was developed for the United States Marine Corps. The AH-1Z features a four-blade, bearingless, composite main rotor system, uprated transmission, and a new target sighting system. The AH-1Z is part of the...
helicopters. It is part of Marine Aircraft Group 39
Marine Aircraft Group 39
Marine Aircraft Group 39 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California that is currently composed of six AH-1W Super Cobra and UH-1N Huey light attack squadrons, three CH-46 Sea Knight squadrons and one logistics squadron...
(MAG-39) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
3rd 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...
(3rd MAW).
History
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303 (HMLAT-303) was activated with four officers and three enlisted Marines on April 30, 1982. Today the squadron has grown to over 400 Marines and 45 aircraft. Based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp PendletonMarine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton or MCAS Camp Pendleton is a United States Marine Corps airfield located within Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. It was commissioned in 1942 and is currently home to Marine Aircraft Group 39. The airfield is also known as Munn Field in honor of...
, California, HMLAT-303 conducts an extensive training syllabus to include: familiarization, navigation, ordnance, terrain, formation, instrument and night vision goggle flight. The squadron periodically deploys to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma or MCAS Yuma is a United States Marine Corps air station which is the home to multiple squadrons of AV-8B Harrier IIs of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 and Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 , an air combat adversary...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, where training efficiency is enhanced due to the proximity of ordnance delivery ranges and superb weather conditions.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
for more than 20 years, and has begun training new AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom pilots. HMLAT-303 is the only Marine Corps squadron tasked with training Navy 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...
pilots and newly designated Naval Aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
s destined to become AH-1W and UH-1N/HH-1N replacement, refresher, and conversion pilots. Although the training mission assigned to HMLAT-303 requires sustained high tempo operations, the squadron had flown over 250,000 Class A and B mishap free flight hours until September 20th, 2011, when a AH-1W Super Cobra crashed during a training exercise, killing both pilots.
In addition to flight training, HMLAT-303 manages the fleet-wide NATOPS
NATOPS
The Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization program prescribes general flight and operating instructions and procedures applicable to the operation of all US naval aircraft and related activities...
standardization program for the H-1, conducts Instrument Ground School for all of MAG-39 aircrew, and is responsible for the scheduling of the AH-1W/Z and the UH-1Y Weapons System Trainers and the AH Aircrew Procedures Trainer.
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 United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons