Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 (-)
"Heavy Haulers", "Black Stallions", "Hustler"
|
History |
|
| 1 April 1958 | HMR-772 established at NAS Willow Grove PA. |
| 1. April 1962 | HMR-772 was redesignated HMM-772 |
| 1 September 1971 | HMM-772 was redesignated HMH-772 |
|
Tailcodes |
|
| 1958 - 1970 | 7W |
| 1970 - 1971 | 5N |
| 1971 - today | MT |
| Planes: |
HUP-2
HUS-1 (CH-34D)
CH-53A
CH-53D
CH-53E
| HMR-772, HMH-772 Home Port Assignments | ||
| NAS Willow Grove PA. | 1. Apr. 1958 | Sep. 1970 |
| NAS Lakehurst NJ | Sep. 1970 | Sep. 1972 |
| NAS Willow Grove PA. | Sep. 1972 | Feb. 1991 |
| MCAS New River NC | Feb. 1991 | Oct. 1991 |
| NAS Willow Grove PA. | Oct. 1991 | Feb. 2002 |
| MCAS New River NC | Feb. 2002 | Dec. 2009 |
| NAS JRB Willow Grove, PA | Dec. 2009 | ? |
| Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst NJ | ? | today |
| HMR-772, HMH-772 Deployments | ||||
| 1991 - Nov. 1991 | Okinawa, Japan | - | CH-53A | MT 400 |
| ? | CVA-41 USS Midway | - | CH-53A | MT 400 |
| 26. Aug. 2002 - 29.May 2003 | LHA-4 | 24 MEU | CH-53E | MT 400 |
| Mar. 2009 - Oct. 2009 | Camp Leatherneck, Afghansitan | - | CH-53E | MT 400 |
| 13. Jun. 2013 - 1. Oct. 2013 | LHD-6 | 31 MEU | CH-53E | MT 400 |
| Jun. 2013 - Dec. 2013 | MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan | - | CH-53E | MT 400 |
| HMR-772, HMH-772 Commanding Officers | ||
| Lt.Col. Pete McConnell | ? | ? |
| ? | ? | |
| Lt.Col. Brietta L. Larmon | ? | ? |
|
History |
|
HMH-772 was activated in 1958 as
the last of the original 12 USMC Reserve helicopter squadrons. During the
Gulf War, HMH-772 and its two detachments were mobilized and deployed to
Saudi Arabia and the Philippines. In February 2002, the squadron was
mobilized again, and deployed to MCAS New River, where it was attached to
HMM-263. In 1991 the Squadron was mobilized in support of Operation Desert Storm. The squadron aircrew flew fourteen CH-53A aircraft across the country to join the 3rd MAW and awaited further orders to Okinawa, Japan. While in Okinawa with the 1st MAW the Squadron transitioned to the CH-53D aircraft. From Okinawa the squadron embarked aboard the CV-41 USS Midway and provided support for Operation Fiery Vigil, which was the evacuation of personnel from the Republic of the Philippines after the volcano Mount Pinatubo erupted. During this time the squadron also provided support for Operation Sea Angel the humanitarian relief operations in Bangladesh. For these actions, HMH-772 was awarded another Meritorious Unit Commendation. The Squadron returned to CONUS in November 1991, was deactivated and was reassigned back to the 4th MAW. After 9/11 HMH-772 was mobilized once again and activated on 27. January 2002, in support of Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom. Within two weeks of the activation the squadron relocated to MCAS New River, NC, and was assigned to MAG-29 within the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The squadron was given tasking to integrate with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Air Combat Element HMM-263. During 2009 HMH-772 was deployed again to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During 2008, Marine Reserve HMH squadrons were reorganized. HMH-769 was deactivated and on 30 September 2008, HMH-772 was reduced to a detachment-sized unit and redesignated HMH-772(-). |