HMLA-267
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| Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 | |
|---|---|
 HMLA-267 Insignia |
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| Active | February 15, 1944 - January 31, 1946 December 15, 1966 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Light/Attack squadron |
| Role | Close Air Support |
| Part of | Marine Aircraft Group 39 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton |
| Nickname | Stingers |
| Motto | "Anytime Anywhere" |
| Battles/wars | World War II * Battle of Iwo Jima Vietnam War Operation Restore Hope Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003 invasion of Iraq |
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 (HMLA-267) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters and UH-1N Huey utility helicopters. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and is attached to Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).
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[edit] Mission
Provide utility and attack combat support to landing forces and operations ashore. Tasks include re-supply, troop insertions/extractions, parachute operations, spectial insertion techniques, medical evacuations, sensor drops, airborne radio relay, courier, command and control, VIP transport, close air support, escort, and forward air control.
[edit] History
[edit] Origins during World War II
HMLA-267 was first activated as Marine Observation Squadron 5, VMO-5, in Quantico, Virginia on February 15, 1944. In August 1944 came its first deployment to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii under the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing to participate in the Pacific theater. The squadron saw action during the Battle of Iwo Jima, and under the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing participated in the occupation of Japan in Sasebo from September 1945 through January 1946, at which time the squadron returned to San Diego and was deactivated on January 31, 1946.
[edit] Vietnam
With a looming major conflict in Vietnam, VMO-5 was reactivated on December 15, 1966, under the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Camp Pendleton with a compliment of UH-1E "Huey"s and OV-10 "Bronco"s. In March 1968, the squadron was redesignated HML-267 and remained at alert status for the rest of the war. In 1971, reorganization left the squadron with only UH-1E helicopters, and by the end of 1976 only UH-1N aircraft were flown.
[edit] Post Vietnam
Every six months HML-267 rotated one-third of its assets to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma on Okinawa, Japan. The Hueys were joined by another aircraft in 1982 as the new AH-1J "Cobra"s were deployed. As part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) starting in 1983, HML-267 began a regular cycle of six months in Okinawa, 18 months on Camp Pendleton. During which the squadron participated in numerous training exercises including detachments to Korea, Guam, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Iwo Jima, and Australia. Redesignated HMLA-267 in 1987, the squadron received its first complement of AH-1 Cobra "SuperCobra"s. In 1988, the squadron split into three groups: A detachment on land in Okinawa, A detachment on a West Pac, and A detachment aboard the USS Dubuque.
The USS Dubuque part of the Joint Task Force in the Persian Gulf and Operation Earnest Will. On July 3, 1988, the USS Vincennes - also a part of Operation Earnest Will - shot down an Iranian commercial Airbus A300B2-202 (Iran Air Flight 655) after mistaking it for an Iranian F-14. The total of 290 dead civilian passengers, included 66 children.
In 1990, HMLA-267 split into two groups: A detachment on land in Okinawa and another attached to HMM-164. The group attached to HMM-164 boarded the USS Okinawa on a routine West Pac deployment. The USS Okinawa eventually ended up in the Persian Gulf for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, spending a total of 354 days away from their home port for this deployment.
In 1992, HMLA-267 split into two groups: A detachment on land in Okinawa and another attached to HMM-164. The group attached to HMM-164 boarded the USS Tripoli on a routine West Pac. The USS Tripoli went back to the Persian Gulf for Operation Desert Sweep. The next stop for the USS Tripoli was Mogadishu, Somalia and was part of the original insertion of Marines (primarily those from HMLA-267) and the beginning of Operation Restore Hope
[edit] Global War on Terror
HMLA-267 has been instrumental providing air support during Operation Iraqi Freedom. While originally destined to deploy to Okinawa, Instead was deployed to the Persian Gulf in the months leading up to and the first several months of the campaign. HMLA-267 aircraft were involved in every major firefight of the war.
[edit] Honors
HMLA-267 has served with distinction throughout its service to the Marine Corps. Some decorations and honors include: * Meritorious Unit Commendation with Bronze Star,
- Asia-Pacific Campaign Streamer
- World War II Victory Streamer
- Navy Occupation Service Streamer
- National Defense Service Streamer
- Navy Unit Commendation Streamer.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
