HMA-269

Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269
The Gunrunner's new insignia
Active	February 22, 1971-present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	light attack helicopter squadron
Role	Close Air Support Air interdiction Assault Support Utility Support
Part of	Marine Aircraft Group 29 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQ	Marine Corps Air Station New River
Nickname(s)	The Gunrunners
Motto(s)	"The First and the Finest"
Tail Code	HF
Engagements	Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Commanding Officer	LtCol. Russ Rybka
Executive Officer	Maj. Brock Mantz
Sergeant Major	SgtMaj. Lynnette Marr-Gaye
Aircraft flown
Attack helicopter	AH-1J/T/W Sea Cobra/Super Cobra (1971-present)
Utility helicopter	UH-1N/Y Twin Huey (1980s-present)

Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 (HMLA-269) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. Also known as "The Gunrunners", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 29 (MAG-29) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW).

The mission of HMLA-269 is to support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force commander by providing offensive air support, utility support, armed escort, and airborne supporting arms coordination; day or night; under all weather conditions; during expeditionary, joint, or combined operations.

HMA-269 was formed at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina on February 22, 1971 and activated on July 1, 1971 as the Marine Corps first designated attack helicopter squadron. Equipped with the AH-1J "Sea Cobra," HMA-269's mission was to provide close-in fire support during aerial and ground escort operations during ship to shore movement and subsequent operations ashore.

In December 1977, HMA-269 took delivery of the first AH-1T (TOW) Cobra. The squadron opened a new era of attack helicopter aviation in early 1979 by being the first Marine Corps squadron to fire the TOW anti-tank missile from an airborne platform.

In the early 1980s, with the addition of the UH-1N to the squadron, HMA-269 became HMLA-269 and expanded its primary mission to include utility helicopter support. Though heavily committed, HMLA-269 maintained its impressive list of firsts; first flight-test of biochemical protective suits in the AH-1T (TOW), first flight test of "fast rope insertion" equipment, first to refine the TOW missile engagement gun and missile radars. Additionally, the squadron participated in the first actual movement of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing assets in an air contingency drill. In 1986, The Gunrunners achieved yet another first when they fired a Sidewinder air-to-air missile at a target drone over the Island of Vieques, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. These achievements earned the squadron a Meritorious Unit Commendation and selection as the Marine Corps Helicopter Squadron of the Year for 1986. It was common practice during this period to split the squadron into detachments. At one time during 1988 while commanded by LtCol. Christopher B. Stoops, the squadron deployed for the Persian Gulf while simultaneously operating three other detachments in NC and the Caribbean Sea.