HMR-263

 

HMR(L)-263

  hmr_l__263 (8K)

HMR(C)-263

 

HMM-263


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VMM-263

  vmm263 (6K)  
thunder_chickens (9K)

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263
VMM-263

"Thunder Eagles"

VMM-263's long and distinguished service includes action in the Dominican Republic (1964), two tours in Vietnam (1965, 1971), the Gulf War (1990-91), and Somalia (1992-93). Aircraft from HMM-263 rescued USAF pilot Capt. Scott O'Grady, shot down over Kossovo in 1995. In 2003, HMM-263 was the Aviation Combat Element for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable (MEU(SOC)) and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003).

HMM-263 went into cadre status on 3 June 2005 in order to begin training with VMX-22 on the MV-22 "Osprey". On 3 March 2006, VMM-263 stood up, formally becoming the first Marine Corps combat MV-22 squadron. The "Thunder Chickens" deployed to Iraq in October 2007 in support of Operaton Iraqi freedom.


LINEAGE

Activated 16 June 1952 at Cherry Point, NC, as MARINE HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SQUADRON 263 (HMR-263).

Redesignated 31 December 1956 as MARINE HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SQUADRON (LIGHT) 263 (HMR(L)-263).

Redesignated 1 June 1958 as MARINE HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SQUADRON (COMPOSITE) 263 (HMR(C)-263).

Redesignated 29 February 1960 as MARINE HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SQUADRON (LIGHT) 263 (HMR(L)-263).

Redesignated 1 February 1962 as MARINE MEDIUM HELICOPTER SQUADRON 263 (HMM-263).

Redesignated 3 March 2006 as MARINE MEDIUM TILTROTOR SQUADRON 263 (VMM-263).

UNIT HONORS

PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER with 2 bronze stars

JOINT MERITORIOUS UNIT AWARD STREAMER

NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with 1 silver and 1 bronze star

MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with 4 bronze stars

MARINE CORPS EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER with 2 bronze stars

NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER with two bronze stars

ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER

VIETNAM SERVICE STREAMER with 2 silver and 1 bronze stars

SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE STREAMER with 2 bronze stars

GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER