HMLA-269

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Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Commanding OfficerLtCol Jens "Merica" Gilbertson
Aircraft flown
Attack helicopterAH-1J/T/W/Z Sea Cobra/Super Cobra/Viper (1971–present)
Utility helicopterUH-1N/Y Twin Huey/Venom (1980s-present)

Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 (HMLA-269) was a

UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. Also known as "The Gunrunners", the squadron was based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina and fell under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 29 (MAG-29) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
(2nd MAW).

Mission

The mission of HMLA-269 is to support the

Marine Air-Ground Task Force
commander by providing offensive air support, utility support, armed escort, and airborne supporting arms coordination; day or night; under all weather conditions; during expeditionary, joint, or combined operations.

History

Early years

HMA-269 was formed at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina on 22 February 1971 and activated on 1 July 1971 as the Marine Corps first designated attack helicopter squadron. Equipped with the AH-1J "Sea Cobra," HMA-269's mission was to provide close-in fire support during aerial and ground escort operations during ship to shore movement and subsequent operations ashore.

In December 1977, HMA-269 took delivery of the first AH-1T (TOW) Cobra. The squadron opened a new era of attack helicopter aviation in early 1979 by being the first Marine Corps squadron to fire the TOW anti-tank missile from an airborne platform.

In the early 1980s, with the addition of the

UH-1N to the squadron, HMA-269 became HMLA-269 and expanded its primary mission to include utility helicopter support. Though heavily committed, HMLA-269 maintained its impressive list of firsts; first flight-test of biochemical protective suits in the AH-1T (TOW), first flight test of "fast rope insertion" equipment, first to refine the TOW missile engagement gun and missile radars. Additionally, the squadron participated in the first actual movement of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing assets in an air contingency drill. In 1986, The Gunrunners achieved yet another first when they fired a Sidewinder
air-to-air missile at a target drone over the Island of Vieques, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. These achievements earned the squadron a Meritorious Unit Commendation and selection as the Marine Corps Helicopter Squadron of the Year for 1986. It was common practice during this period to split the squadron into detachments. At one time during 1988 while commanded by LtCol. Christopher B. Stoops, the squadron deployed for the Persian Gulf while simultaneously operating three other detachments in NC and the Caribbean Sea.

The Gulf War & the 1990s

In 1990, the Gunrunners deployed to Southwest Asia with twelve AH-1Ws, three AH-1Ts, and six UH-1Ns. These assets participated in a major 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade exercises during

NVG
low light level conditions.

Following the Gulf War, the Gunrunners continued to support requirements of LF6F deployments, in such areas as

CH-53Es from the USS Kearsarge to successfully rescue Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady
. During this deployment, HMLA-269 also became the first squadron to deploy the new Night Targeting System on all of its cobras; effectively adding increased combat compatibility to the forward deployed forces. Being named the HMLA Squadron of the Year rewarded the squadron's hard efforts that year.

The squadron also supported detachments with LF6F deployments that supported

Democratic Republic of Congo
. In recognition of its hard-earned reputation for setting the standard in attack helicopter aviation, the Gunrunners were designated the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron of the Year in 1998 by the Marine Corps Aviation Association.

Global War on Terror

MEDEVAC
flight near Al Qaim, Iraq on June 17, 2005 during Operation Spear.
The desert version of The Gunrunners' new patch

In the wake of the

HMM-263 (REIN) with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) flew in Kosovo, the Horn of Africa
, Operation Enduring Freedom.

In January 2003, The Gunrunners deployed as a squadron in support of

Al Asad airbase in western Iraq. The squadron has completed six deployments to Iraq since 2003 and designated Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron of Year in 2010 and 2013.[1]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Cpl. Roach, Brandon (3 July 2006). "'Gunrunners' celebrate 35th birthday in Al Asad". United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 21 November 2007.

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
Bibliography
Web

External links

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