VMM-261
| Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 | |
|---|---|
VMM-261 insignia
|
|
| Active | April 5, 1951 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Medium-lift Tiltrotor Squadron |
| Role | Conduct air operations in support of the Fleet Marine Forces |
| Part of |
Marine Aircraft Group 26 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station New River |
| Nickname(s) | "Raging Bulls" |
| Motto(s) | "First in, Last out" |
| Tail Code | EM |
| Engagements |
Vietnam War Operation Urgent Fury Operation Sharp Edge Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom * Operation Cobra's Anger |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
LtCol Mark E. Franko |
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (VMM-261) is a United States Marine Corps tiltrotor squadron consisting of MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft. The squadron, known as the "Raging Bulls", is based at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, North Carolina and typically falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 26 (MAG-26) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW). They are the fourth squadron in the Marine Corps to transition to the MV-22 Osprey.
Provide assault support of combat troops, supplies and equipment during amphibious operations and subsequent operations ashore. Routinely, VMM squadrons provide the foundation for an aviation combat element (ACE) of any level Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) mission that may include conventional assault support tasks and special operations.
Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 261 (HMR-261) was activated on April 5, 1951 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. From 1951 through 1956, HMR-261 carried the tail code of "HM." Since then, it has carried the tail code of "EM" on its helicopters.
In 1954, the squadron moved from MCAS Cherry Point to its current home, MCAS New River, North Carolina. In October 1954, HMR-261 embarked its HRS helicopters on the USS Saipan (CVL-48) and sailed for Haiti where they flew humanitarian assistance/disaster relief missions following Hurricane Hazel. In 1956, the squadron was redesignated Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron (Light) 261 (HMR(L)-261) to reflect the acquisition of the H-34 Choctaw to replace its HRS-1 helicopters. The squadron was the first helicopter squadron to conduct troop lifts on the East coast. In 1961, the squadron was redesignated Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (HMM-261). The squadron was, by then, flying the UH-34D helicopter. During 1962, HMM-261 was embarked aboard the USS Boxer (CV-21) and subsequently the USS Thetis Bay (CVE-90) for support during the Cuban Blockade. Returning to MCAF New River, HMM 261 was deployed in the south in support of the civil rights freedom marches in the spring of 1963. Returning to MAG-26, MCAF New River, HMM-261 prepared to stand down for subsequent transfer of its colors to the Western Pacific.
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