HMM-265

• Establishment: Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (HMM-265), also known as “Dragons,” was activated on October 1, 1962, at Marine Corps Air Facility Santa Ana, California. • Vietnam War Service: HMM-265 was heavily involved in the Vietnam War, deploying to South Vietnam in April 1966 and participating in numerous combat operations, including Operation Hastings and Operation Prairie. • First Helicopter Unit to Use CH-46 Sea Knight in Combat: HMM-265 was among the first USMC squadrons to field the CH-46A Sea Knight helicopter in combat operations during the Vietnam War. • Pioneering Helicopter Assaults: The squadron distinguished itself with large-scale helicopter-borne assault operations, helping to refine USMC vertical envelopment tactics. • Nickname “Dragons”: The squadron adopted the “Dragons” moniker, with a distinctive dragon insignia and nose art frequently seen on their helicopters in Vietnam. • Operation Frequent Wind: HMM-265 played a key role in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon in 1975, assisting with the final helicopter lifts from the U.S. Embassy. • Post-Vietnam Deployments: After Vietnam, HMM-265 participated in numerous deployments and exercises in the Pacific region as part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP), supporting operations from Japan, Okinawa, and aboard amphibious ships. • Transition to Okinawa: In 1975, HMM-265 was reactivated on Okinawa, Japan, becoming a forward-deployed unit with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. • Humanitarian Missions: The squadron has been involved in numerous humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Asia, including typhoon response and rescue missions. • Redesignation: In 2013, HMM-265 was redesignated as VMM-265, transitioning from the CH-46E Sea Knight to the MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor, marking a new era in its operational history.