HMT-301

• Origins of HMT-301: Helicopter Marine Training Squadron 301 (HMT-301) was a United States Marine Corps helicopter training squadron that played a critical role in preparing pilots and aircrew for operational assignments. • Nickname – “Windwalkers”: HMT-301 was known by the nickname “Windwalkers,” reflecting the squadron’s focus on helicopter flight training. • Activated in 1966: The squadron was originally activated on December 1, 1966, at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, North Carolina. • Training Focus: HMT-301 specialized in training pilots and crew for the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter, which was a workhorse for the Marine Corps from the Vietnam War era through the early 2000s. • Support to Vietnam War: During the Vietnam War, HMT-301 trained hundreds of pilots and crew who would go on to serve in combat operations in Southeast Asia. • Deactivation and Reactivation: The squadron was deactivated in 1972 and later reactivated in 1982, continuing its vital training mission for a new generation of aviators. • Home at MCAS Tustin: Upon reactivation, HMT-301 was based at Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, California, taking advantage of West Coast facilities for helicopter training. • Merger into HMT-302: In 1994, as part of the Marine Corps’ post-Cold War restructuring, HMT-301 was deactivated and merged into HMT-302, consolidating CH-46 training operations. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The squadron’s insignia featured a stylized eagle and helicopter rotor, symbolizing flight and the Marine Corps’ aerial capabilities. • Legacy: Although HMT-301 no longer exists as a separate unit, its legacy lives on through the thousands of pilots it trained, many of whom went on to distinguished service around the world.