HMM-265
| Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 | |
|---|---|
Old HMM-265 insignia
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| Active |
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| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Type | Medium-lift helicopter squadron |
| Role | Conduct assault support operations for the Fleet Marine Forces |
| Part of |
Marine Aircraft Group 36 1st Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Futenma |
| Nickname(s) | "Dragons" |
| Motto(s) | "Fix, Fly, Promote" |
| Tail Code | EP |
| Engagements |
Vietnam War * Operation Hastings Operation Desert Storm Operation Sea Angel Operation Desert Fox Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
LtCol Christopher M. Murray |
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (VMM-265) is a United States Marine Corps transport squadron consisting of MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The squadron, known as the "Dragons", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 36 (MAG-36) and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW).
Support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Commander by providing assault support transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment, day or night under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint or combined operations.
HMM-265 was commissioned on October 1, 1962 at Marine Corps Air Facility Jacksonville, North Carolina. Originally flying the UH-34, the squadron deployed to Memphis, Tennessee shortly after commissioning in support of the Mississippi Crisis, a critical moment in the American civil rights movement. Following that, HMM-265 began a series of deployments testing new helicopter tactics such as the night raid. The squadron's commanding officer, LtCol Beeler, developed innovative new helicopter tactics and became a legacy in the "Dragons" and in helicopter aviation.
The day of destiny for HMM-265 occurred on June 29, 1964 as BUNO 150942 was flown for 3.4 hours to the squadron’s home at MCAF Jacksonville by LtCol Beeler. By July of that year, the squadron began accepting Sea Knights and is the first FFleet Marine Force squadron to fly the aircraft. To commemorate their new aircraft, the Dragons of HMM-265 unveiled a new insignia on October 1, 1964. This design, created by PFC Charles D. Lyles, was the official unit patch until 2007, when a new design was adopted, based on the Japanese Shinjitai for dragon: . On February 4, 1966, as HMM-265 became the first Marine Squadron to log 10,000 accident free hours in the CH-46A. This is a great achievement in an era when the CH-46 was going through the growing pains that occur when a new aircraft is fielded.
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