1951 to 2008


usa Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261

US Marine Corps

HMM-261







Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261
Tail Codes
HM 1951/56 HMR-261
EM 1956/61 HMR(L)-261
EM 1961/08 HMM-261
Raging Bulls established April 5, 1951

1951 Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 261 (HMR-261)
1956 Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron (Light) 261 (HMR/L-261)
1961 Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (HMM-261)

On 2008, after 42 years flying the CH-46 transitioned to the MV-22 Osprey and it is redesignated VMM-261




1957 Sep5/Nov28, they were aboard the USS Lake Champlain (CV-39) with HMR(L)-262 as part of NATO maneuvers, Operation Deepwater. At that time they were HMR(L)261

Oct62, my dad Lt Johns was in HMR(L)-261 and HMM-261 both and on the Thetis Bay during the Cuban missile crisis. i have a patch similar to the one on this page except from HMR(L)-261 and also a patch that says HMM-261 at top and Detachment Alpha at bottom. weirdly it has pink background with a yellow butterfly (or moth), a broken (in 1/3) purple arrow, a stack of cash with per diem and a skull with horns. anyone have info on that? he was also was on the Princeton, was at Futenma, Iwakuni (by then Capt) but not sure if with this unit. by late 63 he was with HT-8

1962-1964, I was in HMM-261. We were deployed during the Missiles of October crises. We were on the USS Thetis Bay (LPH-6) carrier. We set off the coast of Cuba during the start and end of the crises.
1963-1964, we were in Da Nang hen we served on The USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) carrier. We went back to Viet Nam when the director of South Viet Nam was overthrown. Thanks William A Martin, Semper Fi.

1962-1964, I found a lighter with the name T. J. Robinson #1816319 USMC Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261. I would like to return to family

1962– 1964 flight safety ( parachute rigger) Since helicopters didn’t carry parachutes we perform that duty very little but also other jobs such as volunteer strap gunner. Or Snipper. At that time in Vietnam you didn’t know who the enemy was. -

1963-1964, I knew Bill Martin from TX, our CO was Col Shook of HMM-261 don't know if you are the same one

I also knew Bill Martin from TX I got the picture of him taken in the head in Vietnam

1968-1969, HMM-261 was on board the USS BOXER (LPH-4) for a six-month Caribbean Cruise. The BOXER had a wooden flight deck, which was a problem if trying to get a suntan when flight ops was secured. Around Christmas time we off loaded to the beautiful sunny beaches of Visques Puerto Rico. While there we made flights into the Coast Guard Station at San Juan for liberty.




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  Locations


YearsLocationICAO/FAA
1954/08MCAS New RiverKNCA
1951/54MCAS Cherry Point KNKT



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Years Models
1966/08 107M H-46 Sea Knight
1956/68 S-58 H-34
1951/56 S-55 H-19






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