Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268
HMM-268
"Red Dragons"
HMM-268 began life in 1972 as a UH-1E squadron, assigned to MAG-29. After only five years of service, the squadron was deactivated.
In 1979 the squadron was reactivated as a CH-46 squadron and changed coasts. The "Red Dragons" served proudly as part of MAG-16 until 1999, when they relocated to MCAS Camp Pendleton and joined MAG-39.
Throughout the 1990s, HMM-268 took part in numerous exercises and deployed as the Air Combat Element squadron for several MEUs. During this period the "Red Dragons" participated in operations in Somalia, Iraq, and East Timor. During 2003, and again in 2004, HMM-268 participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lineage
Activated 15 September 1972 at New River, NC,
as MARINE LIGHT HELICOPTER SQUADRON 268 (HML-268).
Deactivated 30 September 1977.
Reactivated 1 March 1979 at Tustin, CA, as MARINE MEDIUM
HELICOPTER SQUADRON 268 (HMM-268).
Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Mar 2003-Apr 2003.
UNIT HONORS
PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
IRAQ
2003
JOINT MERITORIOUS UNIT AWARD STREAMER
NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION
STREAMER
MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with 4 bronze
stars
MARINE CORPS EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER with 2 bronze
stars
ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER with 1 bronze star
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM SERVICE STREAMER
- Nicknames: "Red Dragons"
- ID Code: BL 1972-77; YQ 1979-
- Aircraft: UH-1E/N; CH-46D/F/E
- Squadron Web Page: HMM-268 (Official site)