Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266
VMM-266
"Fighting Griffins"
The "Fighting Griffins" have served the country for nealry a quarter century. During that time they have participated in numerous exercises, and have deployed as the Air Combat Element of many Marine Amphibious/Expeditionary Units.
During the first Gulf War HMM-266 deployed to Saudi Arabia and flew combat missions as a part of MAG-26. During the 1990s, the squadron participated in operations in Somalia, Haiti, and Kosovo. More recently, the "Fighting Griffins" have operated in Afghanistan and Iraq in support of ongoing Global War on Terror operations.
On 15 June 2006, HMM-266 stood down and went into inactive status before beginning transition training for the MV-22B "Osprey". On 23 March 2007, the "Griifins" were reactivated and became the third combat squadron to field the MV-22 "Osprey". The squadron is now designated Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (VMM-266).
LINEAGE
Activated 26 April 1983 at New River, NC, as MARINE MEDIUM HELICOPTER SQUADRON 266 (HMM-266).
Redesignated 23 March 2007 as MARINE MEDIUM TILTROTOR SQUADRON 266 (VMM-266)
UNIT HONORS
NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with 1 bronze star
MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER with 1 bronze star
SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE STREAMER with 2 bronze stars
KOSSOVO SERVICE STREAMER with one bronze star
GLOBAL WAR on TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER
GLOBAL WAR on TERRORISM SERVICE STREAMER
- Nicknames: "Fighting Griffins"
- ID Code: ES 1983-
- Aircraft: CH-46D/F/E; MV-22B
- Squadron Web Page: HMM-266