Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262
HMM-262
"Flying Tigers"
The "Flying Tigers" of HMM-262 have a distinguished record of 50 years of service, including Southeast Asia, Vietnam, and the Gulf War. HMR(L)-262 was part of the Project Mercury program in the early 1960s. serving as the Atlantic recovery squadron.
After several years based in Hawaii, HMM-262 relocated to Okinawa and joined MAG-36. It currently alternates with HMM-265 as the Aviation Combat Element for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
LINEAGE
1951 - 1965
Activated 1 September 1951 at Cherry Point,
North Carolina, as Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 262.
Assigned during February 1952 to the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing.
Assigned during June 1952 to Marine Aircraft Group 26.
Relocated during July 1954 to New River, North Carolina.
Redesignated 31 December 1956 as Marine Helicopter Transport
Squadron (Light) 262.
Redesignated 1 February 1962 as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron
262.
Participated in the intervention in the Dominican Republic, April
- June 1965.
1966 - 1991
Deployed during December 1966 to the Republic
of Vietnam, and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st
Marine Aircraft Wing.
Participated in the war in Vietnam, December 1966 - May 1971,
operating from
Ky Ha
Marble Mountain
USS Tripoli
Quang Tri
Phu Bai
Relocated during May 1971 to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and reassigned
to Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Brigade.
Deployed at various times since the 1970s to the Western
Pacific.
1st Marine Brigade redesignated 30 August 1985 as the 1st Marine
Amphibious Brigade.
1st Marine Amphibious Brigade redesignated 5 February 1988 as the
1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
1991-2004
Relocated during September 1992 to Futenma, Okinawa, and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
UNIT HONORS
PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER with 1
bronze star
NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with 1 bronze star
MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION with 4 bronze stars
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER with 3 bronze stars
ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER
VIETNAM SERVICE STREAMER with 2 silver stars and 1 bronze
star
VIETNAM CROSS of GALLANTRY with PALM STREAMER
VIETNAM MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION CIVIL ACTIONS STREAMER
- Nicknames: "Echo Tango"; "Flying Tigers"
- Aircraft: HRS-1 (CH-19E); HUS-1 (UH-34D; CH-46A/D/F/E
- ID Code: HT 1951-56; ET 1956-
- Squadron Web Page: HMM-262 (Official site)
HMM-262 Vietnam Veterans Association