HMM-264
| Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 | |
|---|---|
VMM-264 Insignia
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| Active | June 30, 1959 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Type | Medium-lift Tiltrotor Squadron |
| Role | Conduct air operations in support of the Fleet Marine Force |
| Part of |
Marine Aircraft Group 26 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station New River |
| Nickname(s) | Black Knights |
| Tail Code | EH |
| Engagements |
Operation Power Pack Operation Iraqi Freedom * 2003 invasion of Iraq '"Operation Enduring Freedom'" |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
LtCol Douglas Thumm |
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 (VMM-264) is a United States Marine Corps tiltrotor squadron consisting of MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft. The squadron, known as the "Black Knights", is based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, and normally falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 26 (MAG-26) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW). They were the last east coast CH-46 Sea Knight squadron to transition to the Osprey.
Provide assault support of combat troops, supplies and equipment during amphibious operations.
The Black Knights of HMM-264 were activated on June 30, 1959. Originally designated as Marine Medium Transportation Squadron Light 264, it was later re-designated to its present title, Marine Medium Helicopter 264, in February 1962.
In the fall of 1961, the squadron was called upon to assist in the evacuation and resupply of victims of Hurricane Hattie, which hit Belize. This tasking was the first mission in a now long-standing tradition of humanitarian service.
On April 28, 1965, HMM-264 conducted the Marine Corps' first night all-helicopter assault into an unsecured landing zone during combat conditions in Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic from the deck of the USS BOXER during Operation Power Pack. Between HMM-264 and the LSTs more than 600 civilians were evacuated from the Embajador Hotel. This event marked the first landing of U.S. Marines on Dominican soil since the early 1930s. It was also the first ship-to-shore heliborne lift over a hostile beach without supporting units ashore. Over the course of the operation, the American embassy was secured and over 1,750 American citizens were evacuated from the war-torn Dominican Republic.
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