VMF-462

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WW 2


HMR(M)-462

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HMH-462

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Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462
HMH-462
"Heavy Haulers"

HMH-462 traces its history back to VMF-462, a WW2 fighter squadron, which was deactivated shortly after the war's end.

In 1957, the squadron was reactivated as HMR(M)-462 and equipped with the HR2S. After redesignating as HMH-462, the squadron was re-equipped with the CH-53A, which it operated during its service in Vietnam (1968-69, 1975). HMH-462 currently operates the CH-53E "Super Stallion, and is based at MCAS Miramar, CA, with MAG-16


LINEAGE

1944 - 1945

Activated 15 September 1944 at El Centro, California, as Marine Fighting Squadron 462, and assigned to Marine Base Defense Air Group 43, Marine Fleet Air West Coast.

Relocated during October 1944 to El Toro, California and reassigned to Marine Base Defense Air Group 46.

Deactivated 10 September 1945.


1957 - 1967

Reactivated 1 September 1958 at Santa Ana, California as Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron (Medium) 462 and assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 36, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.

Redesignated 1 February 1962 as Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462.

Reassigned during August 1965 to Marine Wing Service Group 37.

1968 - 1974

Deployed during August 1968 to Phu Bai, Republic of Vietnam, and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

Participated in the war in Vietnam, August 1968 - October 1969, operating from
Hue/Phu Bai

Redeployed during October 1969 to Futenma, Okinawa and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 15, 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

Reassigned during November 1969 to Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.


1974 - 2006

Participated in the Southeast Asia evacuations in support of Marine Aircraft Group 36, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, January - June 1975.

Participated in various training exercises throughout the 1970s.

Relocated to Tustin, California and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing.

Participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, August 1990 - April 1991.

Relocated to Miramar, California.

Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom (Mar-Apr 2003).


UNIT HONORS

PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER
IRAQ
Mar-Apr 2003

NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with 1 bronze star
Southeast Asia Evacuations
1975

Southwest Asia
1990 - 1991

MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with 2 bronze stars
Vietnam
1968
1975

1992 - 1994
1996 - 1998

AMERICAN CAMPAIGN STREAMER

WORLD WAR II VICTORY STREAMER

NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER with 2 bronze stars

VIETNAM SERVICE STREAMER with four bronze stars

SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE STREAMER with two bronze stars

GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER

VIETNAM CROSS of GALLANTRY with PALM STREAMER

VIETNAM MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION CIVIL ACTIONS STREAMER