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Maybe some of the USMC experts out there can help me witha research question. Starting in 1976 the Marines started deploying a composite helicopter squadron on large deck amphibs (LPH then now LHA/LHD) which usually consisted of a Medium squadron flying CH-46s and a Light Helicopter squadron flying a mix of AH-1 and UH-1 helos. My question is what is the designation for these temporary composite squadrons? Did they take on the designation of the Medium squadron? The light squadron? The squadron with the senior skipper? Any ideas? Thanks.

Paul

Ok I’ll take a stab at this.
Administratively they keep their original squadron and platoon designations. (This for ordering parts personnel records etc. )

Operationally they take on the designation of the task force they are attached to. If this is a Battalion Landing team they would be assets of BLT 2/5 (Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion 5th Marine Regt.) I think these are now refered to as MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) Although I think most of the time the helicopters belong to the MAB (Marine Amphibious Brigade) for Example: If they were on a Embassy evacuation say in Honduras they would belong to 27th MAB.

I do defer to those former Marines that were assigned to the wing since they know better than I, how they showed up in the org charts. I was a grunt and they didn’t tell me much, or fed me much.

When last attached to a Marine MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) I was assigned to the ACE (Aviation Combat Element). The base Squadron was HMM-264 (Medium Helicopter Squadron with frogs). All attached elements were considered operating under the Knights, even the Harriers from VMA-231 (AoS).

Will

Sorry... VMA-231 AoS = "Ace of Spades" and HMM-264 are the "Black Knights".

Volt/Will,

Thanks.

Paul