Photo By Lance Cpl. Mike Granahan | Marine Medium Helicpter Squadron 262 celebrates 60 years Sept. 2 during a ceremony on...... read more read more
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CAMP FOSTER, Japan - Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 celebrated its 60th anniversary on Marine Corps Air Station Futema Sept. 2.
The celebration included remarks by the unit’s commanding officer and a visit by Maj. Gen. William D. Beydler, commanding general of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, after which Marines enjoyed a cake made for the occasion. HMM-262 is part of Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st MAW.
Lt. Col. Aaron S. Wells, HMM-262’s commanding officer, told his Marines of the unit’s history starting with its activation in September 1951 at Cherry Point, N.C.
“It makes you realize that it’s not just your squadron right now. It’s the squadron that has existed and all the Marines that have contributed to our history and traditions, in our case, over the past 60 years,” Wells said.
The squadron was responsible for the retrieval of Neil Armstrong from the ocean after returning from his lunar landing on July 24, 1969.
“The history we had pulling Neil Armstrong out of the water, our history in Vietnam and Iraq and our humanitarian missions, now with Tomadachi, it’s nice to know we’re a part of that history,” said Capt. Brett N. Bishop, HMM-262’s adjutant.
With the intensification of American involvement in the Vietnam War, HMM-262 was deployed to Vietnam during December 1966 and reassigned to MAG-36. The squadron remained in Vietnam and operated from Ky Ha, Marble Mountain, Quang Tri, Phu Bai and the USS Tripoli while participating in numerous operations throughout the country.
In subsequent years, the squadron deployed to Okinawa as part of the unit deployment program several times.
The squadron became permanently stationed on Okinawa Sept. 27, 1992.
“Operational tempo can wear you down, but you always remember who came before you and the accomplishments they made, and you want to live up to that standard,” said Bishop.
“When you see the things the unit has participated in throughout its history, it puts in context what we do here as a squadron and motivates the Marines to focus on what they’re doing now and how it relates to our legacy,” said Wells.
“It gives you a sense of pride and history in the unit, just like we have that sense of pride and history in the Marine Corps at large,” Wells said.
| Date Taken: | 09.09.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.08.2011 20:35 |
| Story ID: | 76697 |
| Location: | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 201 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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