HMM-268
Encyclopedia
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (HMM-268) is a United States Marine Corps
helicopter
squadron consisting of CH-46E Sea Knight
transport helicopters. The squadron, known as the "Red Dragons", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton
, California
and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 39
(MAG-39) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
(3rd MAW).
, North Carolina
. HML-268 was deactivated on September 30, 1977.
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (HMM-268) was activated on March 1, 1979 at Marine Corps Air Station Tustin
, California
. The squadron was designated for medium lift and equipped with CH-46 helicopters.
The squadron returned to MCAS Tustin on August 31, 1980. A high tempo of operations was maintained through the 10,000-accident free flight hour milestone, which the squadron attained on September 18, 1981. Additionally, during this period, the Red Dragons were the recipients of the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for 1981.
Upon returning to the United States, the squadron was officially designated as the 3rd MAW's "Night Assault Squadron". Within 90 days of designation, the "Night Raiders" of HMM-268 implemented an aggressive Night Vision Goggle (NVG) program. During February 1984 the squadron surpassed the 10,000-hour mishap-free flight hour mark.
Between May 1989 and November 1990 the Red Dragons participated in numerous exercises including MAGTF 89-3 deployed aboard the USS Ogden, in support of the Exxon Valdez oil spill
cleanup. During this period, HMM-268 passed the 20,000 mishap-free flight hour milestone.
of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit
(11th MEU), HMM-268 responded to the Persian Gulf Crisis. Embarked on the USS New Orleans
and deployed with MAG-50, 5th MEB (SOC), the Red Dragons supported Operation Desert Shield. En route to the Persian Gulf
, the Red Dragons completed, for the first time ever, the NVG shipboard carrier qualification syllabus. The Dragons also pioneered and flew the first Low Light Level NVG carrier qualifications. On February 14, 1991, the squadron celebrated its 5 year Class A mishap-free milestone.
During Operation Desert Storm, HMM-268 moved ashore and provided combat assault support to 5th MEB, including the "G-Day" tactical insertion of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines along the Saudi Arabian/Kuwait
i border. The squadron flew over 450 hours in a seven-day period. After conclusion of the conflict, the squadron supported I MEF from Tanajib, Saudi Arabia.
In April 1991, the squadron re-embarked aboard the USS New Orleans, as the ACE for the 11th MEU (SOC) and continued its Southwest Asia
deployment. The MEU supported National Command Authority objectives in the Persian Gulf, until returning to the United States in August 1991.
In September 1993, the Red Dragons again deployed to the Western Pacific and were directed to Somalia
to support Operation Restore Hope II, in Mogadishu
. HMM-268 supported numerous VIP visits, MEU (SOC) and United Nations
humanitarian missions. The Squadron returned to California in March 1994, and in July was designated the Marine Corps Aviation Association's Marine Helicopter Squadron of the year for 1994.
In February 1998, as the ACE for the 11th MEU (SOC), HMM-268 (REIN) was tasked to deploy ahead of schedule in response to Iraq's disregard of United Nations decree. The squadron took part in Operation Southern Watch
and Operation Safe Departure, in which over 170 American citizens were evacuated from war torn Eritrea
. During this deployment, HMM-268 received its fourth consecutive Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award. The squadron returned from this deployment on 6 August 1998.
The Red Dragons moved from Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
to Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton
in February 1999, and departed on 14 March 2001 as MAG-39's first Air Combat Element (ACE) for the 11th MEU (SOC).
The squadron supported Humanitarian Operations in East Timor
lifting several hundred tons of needed goods to the people of East Timor.
In January 2003, HMM-268 began the long process of deployment to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Red Dragons distinguished themselves by their tireless support for combat and Casualty Evacuation CASEVAC
operations throughout the area of operations, returning September 19, 2003.
In August 2004, HMM-268 deployed again to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. For seven months the Red Dragons provided CASEVAC support for I MEF units engaged in combat, returning home in March 2005.
The Red Dragons are the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award winners for 2004. The award signifies commitment to aviation safety, professionalism, solid leadership, and effective operations and readiness.
The squadron redeployed to Iraq in early 2006, and as of February 25, are responsible for casualty evacuation and assault support in the area around Al Taqaddum Airfield where they are based.
On June 28, 2008, HMM-268 deployed to Naval Air Station Lemoore
after California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
requested military assistance to fight raging wildfires
. The helicopters provided medium lift rotary wing support to United States Northern Command
and the National Fire Center.
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
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
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 "Red Dragons", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton
Marine 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
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...
and falls under the command 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).
Mission
Provide utility combat helicopter support to the landing force in the ship to shore movement and in subsequent operations ashore.Early years
Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 268 (HML-268) was activated on September 15, 1972 at Marine Corps Air Station New RiverMarine 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
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. HML-268 was deactivated on September 30, 1977.
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (HMM-268) was activated on March 1, 1979 at Marine Corps Air Station Tustin
Marine Corps Air Station Tustin
Tustin Legacy is a planned community in Tustin, California being developed on the former Marine Corps Air Station Tustin. The project, under construction, will include parks, a commercial retail center and various densities of housing, for a total of 4,600 units.The City’s vision for Tustin Legacy...
, 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...
. The squadron was designated for medium lift and equipped with CH-46 helicopters.
The squadron returned to MCAS Tustin on August 31, 1980. A high tempo of operations was maintained through the 10,000-accident free flight hour milestone, which the squadron attained on September 18, 1981. Additionally, during this period, the Red Dragons were the recipients of the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for 1981.
Upon returning to the United States, the squadron was officially designated as the 3rd MAW's "Night Assault Squadron". Within 90 days of designation, the "Night Raiders" of HMM-268 implemented an aggressive Night Vision Goggle (NVG) program. During February 1984 the squadron surpassed the 10,000-hour mishap-free flight hour mark.
Between May 1989 and November 1990 the Red Dragons participated in numerous exercises including MAGTF 89-3 deployed aboard the USS Ogden, in support of the Exxon Valdez oil spill
Exxon Valdez oil spill
The Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred in Prince William Sound, Alaska, on March 24, 1989, when the Exxon Valdez, an oil tanker bound for Long Beach, California, struck Prince William Sound's Bligh Reef and spilled of crude oil. It is considered to be one of the most devastating human-caused...
cleanup. During this period, HMM-268 passed the 20,000 mishap-free flight hour milestone.
The Gulf War
On December 1, 1990, while assigned as the Aviation Combat ElementAviation combat element
In the United States Marine Corps, the aviation combat element or air combat element is the air arm of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force . It provides rotary-wing, tiltrotor, and fixed-wing aircraft, support equipment, pilots, maintenance personnel, as well as command and control assets to the...
of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit
11th Marine Expeditionary Unit
The 11th 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. The MEU consists of a command element, a reinforced...
(11th MEU), HMM-268 responded to the Persian Gulf Crisis. Embarked on the USS New Orleans
USS New Orleans (LPH-11)
USS New Orleans was an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship in the United States Navy. She was the third Navy ship to be so named, and is the first named for the Battle of New Orleans, which was the last major battle of The War of 1812....
and deployed with MAG-50, 5th MEB (SOC), the Red Dragons supported Operation Desert Shield. En route to the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
, the Red Dragons completed, for the first time ever, the NVG shipboard carrier qualification syllabus. The Dragons also pioneered and flew the first Low Light Level NVG carrier qualifications. On February 14, 1991, the squadron celebrated its 5 year Class A mishap-free milestone.
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
i border. The squadron flew over 450 hours in a seven-day period. After conclusion of the conflict, the squadron supported I MEF from Tanajib, Saudi Arabia.
In April 1991, the squadron re-embarked aboard the USS New Orleans, as the ACE for the 11th MEU (SOC) and continued its 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...
deployment. The MEU supported National Command Authority objectives in the Persian Gulf, until returning to the United States in August 1991.
The 1990s
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
to support Operation Restore Hope II, in Mogadishu
Mogadishu
Mogadishu , popularly known as Xamar, is the largest city in Somalia and the nation's capital. Located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean, the city has served as an important port for centuries....
. HMM-268 supported numerous VIP visits, MEU (SOC) and United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
humanitarian missions. The Squadron returned to California in March 1994, and in July was designated the Marine Corps Aviation Association's Marine Helicopter Squadron of the year for 1994.
In February 1998, as the ACE for the 11th MEU (SOC), HMM-268 (REIN) was tasked to deploy ahead of schedule in response to Iraq's disregard of United Nations decree. The squadron took part in Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
and Operation Safe Departure, in which over 170 American citizens were evacuated from war torn Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
. During this deployment, HMM-268 received its fourth consecutive Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award. The squadron returned from this deployment on 6 August 1998.
The Red Dragons moved from Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro was a United States Marine Corps Air Station located near Irvine, California.Before it was decommissioned in 1999, it was the home of Marine Corps aviation on the West Coast. Designated as a Master Jet Station, its four runways could handle the largest aircraft...
to Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton
Marine 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...
in February 1999, and departed on 14 March 2001 as MAG-39's first Air Combat Element (ACE) for the 11th MEU (SOC).
The squadron supported Humanitarian Operations in 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...
lifting several hundred tons of needed goods to the people of East Timor.
Global War on Terror
CASEVAC
Casualty evacuation, also known as CASEVAC or by the callsign Dustoff, is a military term for the emergency patient evacuation of casualties from a combat zone. Casevac can be done by both ground and air...
operations throughout the area of operations, returning September 19, 2003.
In August 2004, HMM-268 deployed again to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. For seven months the Red Dragons provided CASEVAC support for I MEF units engaged in combat, returning home in March 2005.
The Red Dragons are the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award winners for 2004. The award signifies commitment to aviation safety, professionalism, solid leadership, and effective operations and readiness.
The squadron redeployed to Iraq in early 2006, and as of February 25, are responsible for casualty evacuation and assault support in the area around Al Taqaddum Airfield where they are based.
On June 28, 2008, HMM-268 deployed to Naval Air Station Lemoore
Naval Air Station Lemoore
Naval Air Station Lemoore or NAS Lemoore is a United States Navy base, located in Kings County and Fresno County, California. Lemoore Station, California, a census-designated place, is located inside the base's borders....
after California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
requested military assistance to fight raging wildfires
2008 California wildfires
2008 California wildfires may refer to:*Summer 2008 California wildfires*November 2008 California wildfires**Montecito Tea Fire**Sayre Fire**Freeway Complex Fire**Yorba Linda Firestorms...
. The helicopters provided medium lift rotary wing support to United States Northern Command
United States Northern Command
United States Northern Command is a Unified Combatant Command of the United States military. Created on 1 October 2002 in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 attacks, its mission is to protect the United States homeland and support local, state, and federal authorities...
and the National Fire Center.
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