**Officially Licensed USMC VMM-268 MRF-D ACE 2020 Australian DET Squadron Patch — Marine Tiltrotor Deployment Embroidered Patch**
VMM-268 Red Dragons — from pioneering night vision goggle carrier qualifications during Desert Shield to flying Ospreys into the Australian outback, this squadron has always been first into the dark and first into the unknown.
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (VMM-268), the "Red Dragons," traces its lineage to HMM-268, activated on 1 March 1979 at MCAS Tustin, California. The squadron earned its reputation as the 3rd MAW's designated "Night Assault Squadron," implementing an aggressive NVG program and surpassing 20,000 mishap-free flight hours. During Desert Shield/Desert Storm, the Red Dragons completed the first-ever NVG shipboard carrier qualification syllabus and provided combat assault support to 5th MEB, including the G-Day tactical insertion of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines. This deployment patch commemorates VMM-268's 2020 rotation as the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) for the Marine Rotational Force — Darwin (MRF-D) in Australia, where the squadron operated MV-22B Ospreys alongside Australian Defence Force partners in bilateral training exercises across the Northern Territory. Having transitioned from CH-46 Sea Knights to MV-22B Ospreys in April 2014, the Red Dragons continue to deploy globally from MCAS Miramar.
• Dense embroidery on durable twill backing
• Vibrant synthetic thread with crisp detail
• Hook & loop backing for quick attachment
• Sharp reproduction of deployment-specific insignia
• Built to last — withstands field conditions
Perfect For: VMM-268 veterans and alumni, MRF-D Australia deployment veterans, MV-22 Osprey enthusiasts, MCAS Miramar personnel, Marine tiltrotor aviation fans, USMC deployment patch collectors
