Photo By Cpl. Samantha Sanchez | U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallions with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 fly...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII – Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 (HMH-463, call sign “Pegasus”) arrived on Oahu in 1971 and has been providing rotary wing heavy lift, disaster response, and community support services to the Hawaiian Island chain and across the globe throughout those 50 years. Capable of carrying up to 55 personnel and 36,000 lbs of cargo, the CH-53E is the ideal asset to provide support to communities in times of crisis.
Founded as a fixed-wing squadron in North Carolina in 1944, HMH-463, has gone through many squadron designations and aircraft changes and has maintained a storied history along the way; supporting aircraft recovery efforts and transportation of personnel and equipment in every clime and place to include Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan while participating in multinational exercises in support of partners and allies around the globe.
While stationed aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, HMH-463 has continued to support global requirements and provide continuous rotary wing heavy lift detachments for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit since 2016. Although this mission maintains strategic importance, Pegasus is most proud of the support they have provided to the local community. Moving vehicles and cargo for Boy and Girl Scout events, setting up static displays of aircraft for school and community groups, performing fly overs at local air shows and providing Marine manpower for everything from building playgrounds to Veterans’ memorial events, are just a few of the ways Pegasus has given back to the community they have called home. During times of crisis, Pegasus has additionally bolstered the community by providing hurricane relief for storm damage on Kauai, maintaining fire-fighting capabilities across the Hawaiian Islands, and standing constant alert for immediate response to lava flows threatening residents on the Island of Hawaii. Pegasus has been honored to give back to the community for the 50 years they have lived and worked in Hawaii and are proud of the tradition of service they leave behind.
On June 3rd 2021, the Marine Corps Aviation Association selected HMH-463 as the 2020 Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron of the Year for their sustained superior performance while flying over 2,800 flight hours, maintaining the highest aircraft readiness across all CH-53E squadrons in the Marine Corps, providing continuous Marine Expeditionary Unit detachments, and developing future concepts in support of USMC Force Design. To validate the squadron’s readiness and in celebration of HMH-463’s 50th year on Oahu, Pegasus executed a max aircraft launch on 27 May, 2021, flying seven CH-53Es around the island of Oahu. These accomplishments are a capstone to the legacy provided by generations of Marines who have worn the Pegasus patch and a testament to the amazing Marines and Sailors that have supported the mission on a daily basis. Within the next year, HMH-463 will be decommissioning and distributing its aircraft across the Fleet Marine Forces as the Marine Corps realigns and continues to be the ready force for the United States of America.
| Date Taken: | 06.18.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 06.21.2021 15:04 |
| Story ID: | 399291 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 729 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Going out on top: Pegasus ends its time in Hawaii as a winner, by CPT Eric Abrams, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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