HMM-265 Dragons Patch
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (HMM-265), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (HMM-265), the "Dragons," was activated on 30 September 1962 at Marine Corps Air Facility New River, North Carolina as part of Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Originally flying the UH-34 Seahorse, the Dragons deployed to Memphis, Tennessee shortly after commissioning in support of the Mississippi Crisis during a critical moment in the American civil rights movement. The squadron demonstrated vertical envelopment tactics at the 1964 New York World's Fair, showcasing the future of Marine helicopter operations.
In June 1964, HMM-265 became the first Fleet Marine Force squadron to accept the CH-46 Sea Knight, beginning a new chapter in Marine medium-lift helicopter aviation. The Dragons departed Norfolk aboard USS Boxer in April 1966 with 22 CH-46A aircraft bound for Vietnam, arriving at Marble Mountain Air Facility on 22 May 1966 under MAG-16. On a daily basis, HMM-265 supported Marine operations in I Corps with heliborne assault, casualty evacuation, resupply, emergency extraction, recon team insertions, and search and rescue. In July 1967, the squadron became the Special Landing Force squadron aboard USS Tripoli, conducting five major operations including Bear Chain/Fremont, Beacon Guide, Kangaroo Kick, Beacon Gate, and Cochise. The Dragons lost 27 pilots, crew chiefs, and gunners to enemy fire during their Vietnam tour before deactivation on 13 November 1970.
Reactivated on 1 September 1977 at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, HMM-265 deployed aboard USS Tripoli for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990–1991, diverted to Bangladesh for humanitarian relief during Operation Sea Angel, became the first Marine helicopter squadron to return to Cambodia since 1975 in 1992, and participated in Operation Desert Fox in 1998 and East Timor's Operation Stabilise in 1999–2000. Deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from Al Asad Airbase in 2004–2005, the Dragons transitioned to the MV-22 Osprey in 2012.
Perfect For: HMM-265 Dragons veterans, CH-46 Sea Knight community members, Vietnam-era Marine helicopter crews, 1st MAW personnel, and Marine aviation history collectors.
Honoring the Dragons—first in the Fleet Marine Force to fly the Sea Knight, and faithful to the fight from Marble Mountain to the deserts of Iraq.
