HMM-262 marks 60,000 mishap-free hours

Congratulations to The Flying Tigers of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (Reinforced) 262 recently marked 60,500 flight hours without sustaining any Class A mishaps. It has taken 13 years to accumulate those flight hours. HMM-262 (Rein) operates the CH-46 from MCAS Futenma in Okinawa, supported by a number of other types.

Blue Knights turn skies over to Black Knights

A scheduled rotation of MV-22 Osprey units in Afghanistan has taken place with the Blue Knights of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 transferring responsibilities of the area of operations to VMM-264 Black Knights. The Blue Knights have been in-theatre since July 2010, notching up more than 2,000 flight hours with an aircraft serviceability rate of almost 73%.

AH-1Z Viper enters production as substantially new aircraft

Initially envisioned as an effort to modernise the drive train of the US Marine Corps' (USMC) Bell AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters, the AH-1Z Viper has essentially evolved into a new aircraft. The linked Flightglobal article details the history, improvements and also has a cutaway of the AH-1Z.

Marines to fast track UAV weaponisation

Facing an urgent requirement to weaponise it's UAVs, the US Marine Corps hopes to have its RQ-7 Shadows armed in the new 12 to 18 months. The US Army's previous interest to do likewise has cooled.

Marine F-35 basing plan announced

The US Marine Corps will split almost 400 F-35 JSFs to be based at Marine Corps Air Stations in North and South Carolina, Arizona and California. The aircraft will operate with 22 operational units, a pilot training centre and a Test and Evaluation unit.

VMM-561 reactivates after 41 years with the Osprey

Marine Medium Tiltrotor squadron 561 became the first MV-22 “Osprey” squadron on the West Coast to be activated when it stood up at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on the 2nd of December. The unit was last active in 1969 and operated the Sikorsky UH-34 Seahorse in the training role.

Marine KC-130s get teeth in Afghanistan

The single KC-130J "Harvest Hawk" of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352 in Afghanistan has seen action for the first time in early November, successfully engaging a group of Taliban insurgents in Helmand province with a Hellfire missile.

PHOTO: Bugs in the morning fog

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101118-N-7214P-007 MIRAMAR, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2010) F/A-18 Hornets are positioned on the flight line of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar during the early morning fog. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 1st Class Anastasia Puscian/Released)

Wake Island Avengers ready for 2011 deployment

Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 211 has returned home to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base after completing predeployment training. The AV-8B Harrier unit will leave for Okinawa in early 2011, attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Elbit to upgrade sights for USMC Cobras

Elbit Systems has been a contract to provide its Night Targeting System Upgrade for the US Marine Corps' Bell AH-1W Cobra attack helicopters. The USMC currently operates 157 AH-1W Cobras.

VMGR-252 conducts no-notice deployment exercise

Marine Combat Air Station Cherry Point's Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR-252) recently conducted a no-notice deployment exercise. As the name suggests, a KC-130J from the unit was despatched on a deployment mission at short notice, the crew being notified of the exercise only 3 hours before take off time.

'Red Devils' clear path for 'Werewolves'

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), is down to the last 30 days of their deployment at Kandahar Airbase in Afghanistan. During the course of its deployment the Red Devils have dropped 24,000 lbs of ordnance and fired 30,000 20 mm rounds. They will be replaced by VMFA-122 'Werewolves'.

Marines Eye AH-1Z Full-Rate Production

Following a successful operational evaluation program, the U.S. Marine Corps is planning to request approval for full-rate production of the new AH-1Z attack helicopter. The Marines are buying 189 Zulus, 58 of which are new-build helicopters with the remainder being upgrades to the Whiskeys (AH-1W) in the Marine inventory.

PHOTO: VMFT-401 Tiger II Adversaries line up for take off

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Participating in the semiannual Weapons and Tactics Instructor course, three F-5 Tiger II jets assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 401 line up prior to take off from the flight line of the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz., on Oct. 16, 2010. As the Marine Corps’ only squadron to fly the F-5 jets, the pilots of VMFT-401 portray enemy aircraft for pilots training in Yuma. WTI, hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1, trains Marine students from across the globe to return to their units as training officers versed in the latest aviation tactics and procedures. (US Marine Corps Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Bill Lisbon)

GAU-21 machine gun deploys on UH-1Y

The Navy and Marine Corps newest .50 caliber weapon system, the GAU-21, began its initial deployment with UH-1Y helicopters in September. Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA-169) is the first squadron to deploy with GAU-21 mounted on the UH-1Y Hueys.

Vikings arrive at Iwakuni, Green Knights leave

The F/A-18D Hornets of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225, or VMFA(AW)-225 have arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, as part of the Unit Deployment Program. The Vikings join the Bats of VMFA(AW)-242 and Bengals of VMFA(AW)-224 at Iwakuni, with the latter unit also there on the UDP.

AH-1Z Cobra declared mission capable

The US Naval Air Systems Command or NAVAIR has declared that the Bell AH-1Z has successfully completed its Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) program and is ready to be introduced to the fleet.

PHOTO: HMM-262 CH-53E Sea Stallion takes off from USS Essex

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100927-N-5538K-153 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 27, 2010) A CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 262, takes off from the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is underway in the western Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)

VIDEO: USS Essex Valiant Shield SinkEx

AV-8B Harriers of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 on board the USS Essex took part in a Sinking Exercise during the recently concluded Exercise Valiant Shield 2010. The target was the decommissioned destroyer tender USS Acadia (AD 42).

See the US Navy's related story.

PHOTO: AV-8B Harrier jet on USS Essex at Valiant Shield

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100920-N-5538K-224 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 20, 2010) Marine aviation ordnancemen move away from a AV-8B Harrier jet aircraft after arming a GBU-12 Paveway II laser guided bomb on the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is participating in Valiant Shield 2010, a joint-service exercise designed to enhance interoperability between U.S. forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)