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HMH-465
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 (HMH-465) is a United States Marine
Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-53E Super Stallion transport
helicopters. The squadron, known as "Warhorse", is based at Marine Corps Air
Station Miramar, California and is attached to Marine Aircraft Group 16
(MAG-16), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).
History
Early years
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, the "Warhorse", was established on
December 1, 1981 as the first West Coast squadron to fly the CH-53E Super
Stallion. It became the Marine Corps' second and Marine Aircraft Group 16's
first CH-53E Squadron.
The "Warhorses" deployed and flew in combat for the first time during Operation
Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. On September 15, 1990 the squadron
arrived at Jubail, Saudi Arabia in support of all joint forces in theater. The
squadron provided heavy lift support for I MEF throughout the entire conflict.
HMH-465 finally returned to Marine Corps Air Station Tustin on March 15, 1991.
1990s
HMH-465 CH-53E doing an external lift in IraqAnother challenge for HMH-465 came
on October 5, 1991. The squadron packed up all assets, both personnel and
aircraft, on board five C-5's and two C-141's and deployed to Marine Corps Air
Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan for a seven month Unit Deployment. This period
was the first such deployment for the CH-53E's. The squadron supported numerous
exercises in this period throughout the Asian theater.
A CH-53E from HMH-465 picking up a load of rotor blades from a downed chopper on
December 25, 2006.On January 13, 1995 two squadron aircraft assisted in the
recovery of four Navy aircrew members who ejected when their F-14D's collided.
For this action 11 squadron members were awarded Sikorsky Aircraft Rescue
Awards.
In January 1998 HMH-465 achieved 20,000 mishap free flight hours.
Global War on Terror
HMM-465 has deployed numerous times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Their
latest tour began in October of 2006, where they are based out of Al Asad and
providing assault support to marines in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq.[1]. On
December 11, 2006, a helicopter from HMH-465 carrying 21 personnel crashed
shortly after take-off, killing 1 and injuring 17
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