Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 769
HMH-769
"Titans"
HMH-769 was activated 15 April 1958 at NAS Oakland, CA, as HMR-769. Originally equipped with the Piasecki HUP-2, HMR-769 began operating the HSS-1/SH-34G in 1959. During July 1961 HMR-769 relocated to NAS Alameda. On 1 April 1962 the squadron was redesignated HMM-769 and assigned to the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.
In 1971, HMM-769 converted to the CH-53A "Sea Stallion", and was redesignated HMH-769.
In 1980 HMH-769 was deactivated and redesignated "HMH-772 Det A". In 1990 the "Roadhogs" replaced their CH-53As with the RH-53D, a mine-warefare version of the CH-53D. These were stripped of their mine-hunting gear and used in the standard cargo role.
In 1990, the squadron was called up for active duty for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, operating ashore as part of MAG-50. During its return from The Gulf, HMH-772 Det A and the rest of MAG-50 were diverted to Bangladesh to assist in the humanitarian effort there following a devastating hurricane.
In 1993, HMH-769 was reactivated. In May 1996, the squadron relocated to MCAS El Toro, CA; in August it began conversion to the CH-53E "Super Stallion." HMH-769 relocated again during 1999 to Edwards AFB in California.
In 2001, the squadron nickname was changed from "Roadhogs" to "Titans". The next year, HMH-769 was activated for active duty and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Two aircraft were attached to 11th MEU and operated in Djibouti. The squadron was activated again in 2004 and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 4 and 5.
In 2007 Headquarters Marine Corps notified teh "Titans" to begin preparations for deactivation. It had been decided to consolidate Reserve CH-53Es into a single squadron, HMH-772. By the end of July 2008, all the squadron's aircaft had been transferred elsewhere. HMH-769 was officially deactivated 2 Aug 2008, at Edwards AFB.
LINEAGE
1958 - 2008
Activated 15 April 1958 at Oakland, California, as Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 769.
Relocated during July 1961 to Alameda, California.
Redesignated 1 April 1962 as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 769.
Redesignated 1 September 1971 as Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 769, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.
Assigned during January 1979 to Marine Aircraft Group 49, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.
Redesignated 1 June 1980 as Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 Detachment A, Marine Aircraft Group 49, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.
Participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert
Storm, Southwest Asia,
March - April 1991.
Participated in Operation Sea Angel, Bangladesh, May 1991.
Redesignated 1 April 1993 as Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 769 and assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 46 Detachment B, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.
Relocated during May 1996 to El Toro, California.
Relocated during 1999 to Edwards AFB, California.
Activated 26 January 2002 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Activated 5 January 2004 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom IV and V.
Deactivated 2 August 2008.
UNIT HONORS
JOINT MERITORIOUS UNIT
AWARD
Bangladesh
1991
MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION with 1 bronze
star
Southwest Asia
1991
1994 - 1995
SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE STREAMER with 2 bronze stars
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER
- Nicknames: "Heavy Haulers"; "Road Hogs"; "Titan"
- ID Code: 7F 1958-68*; 5F
1968-72; MS 1972-2008**
* Station Code: 7F - Oakland/Alameda, CA
**Retained while HMH-772 Det. A - Aircraft: HSS-1 (SH-34J); HUP (UH-25); UH-34D; CH-53A/D/E; RH-53D
- Squadron Web Page: HMH-769