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HMH-772 hustles their way back to Pennsylvania

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 9/25/2003

Story by Cpl. Therersa E. Seng

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C.(September 24, 2003) -- Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron-772 departs the Air Station to return home today.

After an impressive year on active duty, the Marines return to the joint reserve base Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pa.

Since the "Hustlers" were activated in January of 2002 they made history three separate times. First, they were a part of the largest Marine reserve component ever mobilized.

Once the 168 personnel arrived at the Air Station and were assigned to Marine Aircraft Group-29, they made history yet again when they were ordered to reinforce Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-263 as part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Another page was added to the history books when HMH-772 became the first reserve squadron to carry the coveted title of special operations capable.

The squadron was assigned in direct support of Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and in December 2002, Marines used to serving only one weekend a month and two weeks a year, were flying missions in Georgia, Kosovo, Djibouti and Bahrain.

As the Amphibious Ready Group divided and went to different parts of the world, the "Hustlers" helped prove the feasibility of split operations enhancing the response time of the heavy-lift assets.

Before the MEU left, the heavy-lift aircraft went from the super-sized number of eight down to six aboard the ships, but the Marines who remained behind needed to keep the high combat-proficiency rating they received during the work-ups before their deployment to answer the call of the MEU commander if needed.

While most people were celebrating the New Year watching the ball drop in New York, HMH-772 had four aircraft in Djibouti supporting Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and two others aboard USS Nassau participating in Operation Iron Magic in the United Arab Emirates.

Once the MEU returned home, the "Hustlers" were busy staging aircraft for President George W. Bush's visit to Camp Lejeune, conducting Operation Rolling Thunder with the Army at Fort Bragg, participating in the air show with Marine Air Ground Task Force demonstrations at Cherry Point, moving an intact F-15 around Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, training with another medium helicopter reserve squadron in California, and continuing to support MAG-49 in Willow Grove.

"HMH-772 has stepped up to the plate on this deployment and done an outstanding job; better than anyone expected," said Lt. Col. James C. Garman, "Hustler's" commanding officer. "But everyone's excited about going home. As for me, I can't wait to see some of my kid's soccer games."

Bouncing around the country after supporting operations around the world, HMH-772 racked up more than 30,000 Class A, mishap-free flight hours answering the nation's call in its time of need.