Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267
HMLA-267
"Stingers"
HMLA-267 began its history during WW2 when it was activated as VMO-5. After training at Quantico, San Diego, and Hawaii, VMO-5 headed for the western Pacific area to take part in the battle for Iwo Jima. After the war's end VMO-5 deployed to Japan for a brief period of occupation duty before returning to the US and deactivation in 1946.
During December 1966, the UH-1E training unit at Camp Pendleton, Sub Unit 1, H&MS-30 was deactivate and VMO-5 was reactivated as a temporary wartime-only squadron. VMO-5 added the OV-10A to its inventory in 1968.
March 1968 brought another change in title, with the squadron becoming HML-267. The OV-10s were transferred to VMO-2 in 1971. In 1975 the squadron began transitioning to the new UH-1N, which it still operates. The squadron added AH-1Ws, becoming HMLA-267 in 1987.
During the first Gulf War (1990-91) HMLA-267 did not deploy as a squadron, but a detachment served with a Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Arabian Sea area. The "Stingers" have deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
LINEAGE
1944-46
Activated 15 February 1944 at Quantico, VA, as Marine Observation
Squadron 5.
Participated in battle for Iwo Jima
Deactivated 31 January 1946 at San Diego, CA.
1966-2006
Reactivated 15 December 1966 at Camp Pendleton, CA.
Redesignated 15 March 1968 as Marine Light Helicopter Squadron
267.
Redesignated 1 March 1987 as Marine Light Attack Helicopter
Squadron 267.
Participated in combat operations in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom during 2003.
UNIT HONORS
PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER
IRAQ
2003
NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with
one bronze star
MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with three bronze
stars
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN STEAMER with one bronze
star
WORLD WAR II VICTORY STREAMER
NAVY OCCUPATION SERVICE STREAMER with "ASIA"
clasp
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER with 2 bronze
stars
ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM SERVICE STREAMER
- Nicknames: "Black Aces" "Stingers"
- ID Code: UV 1966-
- Aircraft: OY-1 (WW2); UH-1E/N, OV-10A, AH-1W
- Squadron Web Page: HMLA-267