VMM-268
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Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268
"Red Dragons"
"Night Raiders"
N/A.
Chain of Command
Description
Combat ready expeditionary aviation forces.
Capable of short notice world wide deployment.
Assault Support
Aerial Reconnaissance
Equipment
Creation dateSeptember 15, 1972
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (HMM-268) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-46E Sea Knight transport helicopters. The squadron, known as the "Red Dragons", is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and is attached to Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).
Mission
Provide utility combat helicopter support to the landing force in the ship to shore movement and in subsequent operations ashore.
History
Early years
Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 268 (HML-268) was activated on September 1972 15 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. HML-268 was deactivated on September 30, 1977.
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (HMM-268) was activated on March 1, 1979 at MCAS Tustin, California. The squadron was designated for medium lift and equipped with CH-46 helicopters. The squadron returned to Marine Corps Air Station Tustin on August 31, 1980. A high tempo of operations was maintained through the 10,000-accident free flight hour milestone, which the squadron attained on 18 September 1981. Additionally, during this period, the Red Dragons were the recipients of the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for 1981.
Upon returning to the United States, the squadron was officially designated as the 3rd MAW's "Night Assault Squadron". Within 90 days of designation, the "Night Raiders" of HMM-268 implemented an aggressive Night Vision Goggle (NVG) program. During February 1984 the squadron surpassed the 10,000-hour mishap-free flight hour mark.
Between May 1989 and November 1990 the Red Dragons participated in numerous exercises including MAGTF 89-3 deployed aboard the USS Ogden, in support of the Alaskan oil spill cleanup. During this period, HMM-268 passed the 20,000 mishap-free flight hour milestone.
The Gulf War
On December 1, 1990, while assigned as the Aviation Combat Element of the 11th MEU (SOC), HMM-268 responded to the Persian Gulf Crisis. Embarked on the USS New Orleans and deployed with MAG-50, 5th MEB (SOC), the Red Dragons supported Operation Desert Shield. Enroute to the Persian Gulf, the Red Dragons completed, for the first time ever, the NVG shipboard carrier qualification syllabus. The Dragons also pioneered and flew the first Low Light Level NVG carrier qualifications. On February 14, 1991, the squadron celebrated it's 5 year Class A mishap-free milestone.
During Operation Desert Storm, HMM-268 moved ashore and provided combat assault support to 5th MEB, including the "G-Day" tactical insertion of Third Battalion, First Marines along the Saudi Arabian/Kuwaiti border. The squadron flew over 450 hours in a seven-day period. After conclusion of the conflict, the squadron supported I MEF from Taajib, Saudi Arabia.
In April 1991, the squadron re-embarked aboard the USS New Orleans, as the ACE for the 11th MEU (SOC) and continued its Southwest Asia deployment. The MEU supported National Command Authority objectives in the Persian Gulf, until returning to the United States in August 1991.
The 1990s
In September 1993, the Red Dragons again deployed to the Western Pacific and were directed to Somalia to support Operation Restore Hope II, in Mogadishu. HMM-268 supported numerous VIP visits, MEU (SOC) and United Nations humanitarian missions. The Squadron returned to California in March of 1994, and in July was designated the Marine Corps Aviation Association's Marine Helicopter Squadron of the year for 1994.
HMM-268 deployed as the ACE for the 15th MEU (SOC) on 13 November 1995. While on deployment, the squadron participated in numerous exercises, including IRON MAGIC in the United Arab Emirates and EASTERN MAVERICK in Oman, as well as Operation SOUTHERN WATCH in Kuwait. The Dragons returned to the United States in May 1996.
In February 1998, as the ACE for the 11th MEU (SOC), HMM-268 (REIN) was tasked to deploy ahead of schedule in response to Iraq's disregard of United Nations decree. During this deployment the squadron took part in numerous exercises, including INFINITE MOONLIGHT, EPIC MANTLE and EASTERN MAVERICK, as well as real world Operation Southern Watch and Operation Safe Departure, in which over 170 American citizens were evacuated from war torn Eritrea. During this deployment, HMM-268 received its fourth consecutive Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award. The squadron returned from this deployment on 6 August 1998.
The Red Dragons moved from MCAS El Toro to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in February 1999, and departed on 14 March 2001 as MAG-39's first Air Combat Element (ACE) for the 11th MEU (SOC). The Squadron supported Humanitarian Operations in East Timor lifting several hundred tons of needed goods to the people of East Timor.
Global War on Terror
In January 2003, HMM-268 began the long process of deployment to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Red Dragons distinguished themselves by their tireless support for combat and Casualty Evacuation CASEVAC operations throughout the area of operations, returning September 19, 2003.
In August of 2004, HMM-268 deployed again to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. For seven months the Red Dragons provided CASEVAC support for I MEF units engaged in combat, returning home in March of 2005.
The Red Dragons are the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award winners for 2004. The award signifies commitment to aviation safety, professionalism, solid leadership, and effective operations and readiness.