About this Unit
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264 (HMM-264), also known as the "Black Knights," was activated on June 30, 1959. The squadron initially operated the Sikorsky H-34 helicopter before transitioning to the CH-46 Sea Knight, which became its primary aircraft for decades. HMM-264 participated in numerous major operations, including deployments to Lebanon, Operation Desert Storm, and humanitarian missions in Africa and the Caribbean. The unit was deactivated in May 2015 as part of the Marine Corps' transition to the MV-22 Osprey and the restructuring of aviation assets.
Historical Facts
• Formation: HMM-264, also known as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264, was activated on June 30, 1959, at Marine Corps Air Facility New River, North Carolina.
• Nickname: The squadron’s nickname is the “Black Knights,” a moniker they have proudly carried for decades.
• Vietnam Era: Though formed during the Vietnam era, HMM-264 did not deploy to Vietnam, but several of its personnel and aircraft were transferred to support squadrons that did.
• First Mediterranean Deployment: In 1962, HMM-264 became the first Marine helicopter squadron to deploy with a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to the Mediterranean Sea.
• Operation Urgent Fury: HMM-264 played a key role in the 1983 U.S. invasion of Grenada, providing helicopter support for troop insertions and medical evacuations.
• Rescue in Liberia: In 1990, the squadron was instrumental in Operation Sharp Edge, evacuating more than 2,400 civilians from war-torn Liberia, including American and European embassy personnel.
• Somalia Operations: HMM-264 participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia in 1993, supporting humanitarian relief and security operations.
• Aircraft: Over its history, HMM-264 has operated multiple helicopter types, including the H-34, CH-46 Sea Knight, and later transitioning to the MV-22 Osprey as VMM-264.
• Global War on Terror: The squadron deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), delivering troops, supplies, and providing casualty evacuation.
• Deactivation and Reactivation: HMM-264 was redesignated as VMM-264 in 2009, marking its transition from CH-46 helicopters to MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, continuing its long legacy as a vital aviation unit of the Marine Corps.
