Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-265 [HMM-265]
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (HMM-265) was activated on 30 Sep 1962 at MCAS New River, NC as part of Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. In June 1964, it became the first squadron in the Marine Corps to transition from the UH-34 to the Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight. In April 1966, the squadron sailed from Camp Pendleton, Calif., for the Republic of Vietnam.
On 16 May 1966, HMM-265 was reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16, at Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam. For the next three and one half years, HMM-265 conducted combat assault operations against the enemy from both land and sea bases including Marble Mountain Air Facility, the USS Tripoli, and the USS Iwo Jima. In October 1969, the squadron was reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 56 and relocated to Santa Anna, Calif. On 13 November 1970, the squadron was deactivated.
On 1 September 1977, HMM-265 was reactivated at MCAS Kanehoe Bay and assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 24 under 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade. After its reactivation, HMM-265 deployed to the Western Pacific for seven consecutive years participating in major amphibious exercises in Okinawa, Australia and Korea. During their third WESTPAC deployment, HMM-265 became the first composite helicopter squadron to integrate AV-8B Harrier aircraft while embarked aboard the USS Tarawa.
In February 1985, HMM-265 became the first MAG-24 squadron to participate in the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan. In December 1990, the Dragons embarked aboard the USS Tripoli to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Shield.
In January 1991, HMM-265 transferred to the USS Tarawa and conducted operations in support of Operation Desert Storm. Returning from the Gulf, the Squadron was diverted to Bangladesh for humanitarian relief efforts during Operation Sea Angel. In June 1991, HMM-265 returned to Kanehoe Bay and resumed its role as a UDP squadron.
In July of 1992 HMM-265 was the first Marine helicopter squadron to return to Cambodia since 1975 is support of Joint Task Force Full Accounting. After returning to Hawaii the Dragons supported humanitarian relief operations after Iniki in September. In July, the Squadron returned to Okinawa and immediately sent a detachment to Korea in support of URSA '93. In September the squadron participated in Fuji Warrior out of Yokota AB in Mainland Japan. HMM-265 then conducted simultaneous operations in the Philippines supporting Balikatan '93 off of the USS Dubuque.
The Squadron returned to Kanehoe Bay in January '94. During their last year in Hawaii, the Squadron embarked aboard the USS Essex in support of RIMPAC '94 and deployed to the Pohakuloa Training Area in support in 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines. The Dragons left Hawaii to begin their final six months in the UDP cycle during January 1995 and in July MCAS Futenma became their permanent duty station.
During September 1995, the Dragons became the Aviation Combat Element for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC). The Squadron completed three cycles with 31st MEU (SOC) and conducted numerous operations while embarked aboard USS Belleau Wood, USS Dubuque, and USS New Orleans. HMM-265 has deployed to Korea to support Exercise Foal Eagle and Valiant Usher, Vladivostok, Russia for Cooperation from the Sea, and to Australia for Tandem Thrust.
In August 97, the Squadron deployed to Pohang, Republic of Korea for Operation Ulchi Focus Lens (UFL) 97. The exercise proved to be successful, as many of the newly joined pilots conducted mountainous area training, OQ's and TERF navigation. In September and October, HMM-265 conducted electronic warfare training with a visiting Electronic Warefare Training team from Burkley Sands Pacific Missile Range. Following the electronic warfare training, the Dragons participated in Ground / Air Integration Training (GAIT) exercise. Upon completion of the GAIT, HMM-265 was presented with its third consecutive CNO's Safety Award by Maj. Gen. Knutson, CG 1st MAW.
In December, the Dragons participated in Beachcrest 97 on Okinawa. HMM-265 conducted multiple troop assaults, a noncombatant evacuation and a TRAP exercise.
HMM-265 was re-assigned as the 31st MEU's ACE in January 2001.
