Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 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

I was a mechanic on the SH-34Ds in the outfit at Udorn Thailand in 1962.

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

I had mentioned my dad Lt Johns was with HMM-261 and was part of Detachment Alpha but had dates wrong according to his aviators flight log book i found. - i was wrong on dates and that it was Cuban Missile crisis but it was Bay of Pigs where he was on Thetis Bay. i found his flight log book from 1962 and it mentions MARTIN as other pilot on helo. after July 19 1962 the names all change and IWA is listed - i believe this was his detachment departing Vietnam with HMM-362 when replaced in Shufly by HMM-163. anyone have any idea?

1960-1968, Hi everyone. My father, Capt. Mark T. Fulmer, passed on July 3, 2024. Just curious to see if anyone recognizes the name. His DD214 says he was part of HMM-261. Thank you all for your service. Semper Fi

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

1966-1969, HMM-261 New River MCAF/MCAS. Two deployments to Caribbean aboard USS Guadalcanal {LPH-7}, and USS Boxer {LPH-4}.nMechanic and crew chief on CH-46 A,D,E.

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.

1968-1971, I was with HMM 261 helo sqd at New River Air Station, Jacksonville, NC. Great people and love my service time.nDid flights on Visques pr also for grunts( real good people) to train Went on 3 different cruses for training . If any has any informationnfrom that time would enjoy reading it. THANKS PAT (SGT USMC)

1996-2005, I was PCS'd to HMM-261, MCAS New River. I deployed 4 times (med floats) with them, the first deployment was the Sierra Leone evacuation, and my last deployment was Iraq, Al Asad in 2004. My last couple of months I PCAed down the street to CNATT (school house). Fun Times.....