HMM-262 Mag 39 1st MAW

• Unit Designation: HMM-262 stands for Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262, also nicknamed the “Flying Tigers.” • Establishment: HMM-262 was originally activated on 1 September 1951 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. • Vietnam War Service: The squadron deployed to Vietnam in 1966, where it flew thousands of combat missions, extracting wounded Marines and delivering supplies under fire. • Nickname Origin: The “Flying Tigers” nickname and tiger-striped aircraft paint scheme are a tribute to the famed World War II American Volunteer Group in China. • Helicopter Evolution: HMM-262 has operated several aircraft types, notably transitioning from the UH-34D Seahorse to the CH-46 Sea Knight, and later to the MV-22B Osprey as VMM-262. • Humanitarian Assistance: The squadron has participated in numerous disaster relief operations, including aiding victims after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. • Forward Deployment: HMM-262 is one of the few USMC aviation units forward-deployed in the Pacific, based at MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, as part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, MAG-36 (previously assigned to MAG-39). • Decorations: Throughout its history, HMM-262 has received several unit commendations, including the Presidential Unit Citation and Navy Unit Commendation for combat performance. • High-Profile Missions: The squadron supported the evacuation of Saigon (Operation Frequent Wind) in 1975, one of the largest helicopter evacuations in history. • Redesignation: In 2013, HMM-262 was redesignated as VMM-262, reflecting its transition to the tiltrotor MV-22B Osprey, enhancing its speed, range, and versatility.