Final Flight

Photo By Cpl. Gabrielle Quire | Maj. Gen. William T. Collins, commanding general of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve, congratulates Marines with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 (HMM-764), Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th MAW, after his final flight and officially reaching full operational capability at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., April 27, 2016. His final flight signified his trust and confidence with the Marines of HMM-764 as they reach their last major milestone to become completely combat ready and deployable.  

MIRAMAR, CA, UNITED STATES

04.28.2016

Story by Cpl. Gabrielle Quire 

Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES)

Maj. Gen. William T. Collins went on his final flight as commanding general of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 (HMM-764), Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th MAW, Marine Forces Reserve, before they officially reached Full Operational Capability at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, April 28, 2016. His final flight signified his trust and confidence within the Marines of HMM-764 as they reach their last major milestone to become completely combat ready and deployable.

“Today I got to congratulate the Marines here for meeting all their milestones to obtain full operational capability,” Collins said. “That means they’re fully ready to be combat deployable in terms of manpower, training and everything that prepares them to be fully functional.”

HMM-764 became the first tiltrotor squadron to be employed in MARFORRES January 12, 2013.

“This is the Reserves’ first MV-22 squadron transition within the Reserve air wing and I’ve fortunately been here to see them receive their first aircraft all the way to achieving full operational capability today and it’s been wonderful to see that happen,” Collins said.

As Collins prepares for his next mission at North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, where he will serve as the advisor to the commander, he looks back at all that has been accomplished during his time at 4th MAW. HMM-764 reaching FOC is a small victory among the tasks 4th MAW has completed in the past four years and Collins said he is at ease knowing he’s leaving the command in the capable hands of Brig. Gen. Bradley S. James, his previous assistant wing commander.

• Date Taken: 04.28.2016
• Date Posted: 05.02.2016 18:56
• Story ID: 197098
• Location: MIRAMAR, CA, US