HMH-466 was activated in 1984 and is the last of the West Coast CH-53E squadrons to enter service. During Operation Desert Shield/Storm, the main body of HMH-466 served in Kuwait and Iraq with MAG-16, while a 4-plane detachment was deployed with 13th MEU/ARG Alpha. More recently, HMH-466 has supported Operations Enduring Freedom (Det HMH-466, attached to 11th MEU) in Afghanistan, and Operation Iraqi Freedom II. HMH-466, based at MCAS Miramar, supports I Marine Expeditionary Force and the three West Coast Marine Expeditionary Units.
Activated 30 November 1984 at Tustin,
California, as Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, and assigned
to Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet
Marine Force, Pacific.
particpated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm,
Southwest Asia,
August 1990 - March 1991.
Particpated in Operations in Somalia, December 1992 - February
1993.
Detachment served with 11th MEU in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan (2003).
Deployed to Kuwait and Iraq during 2004 in support of Operation
Iraqi Freedom II.
JOINT MERITORIOUS UNIT AWARD STREAMER
Somalia
1992 - 1993
NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER
Southwest Asia
1990 - 1991
2003
MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER
1984 - 1986
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER with 1 bronze star
ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER
SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE STREAMER with three bronze stars
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER