HMM-774

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774
HMM-774 insignia
Active	1958-62; 1969 - present
Country	United States
Branch	USMC
Type	Medium Lift Helicopter Squadron
Role	Conduct air operations in support of the Fleet Marine Forces
Part of	Marine Aircraft Group 49 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQ	Naval Station Norfolk
Nickname	Wild Goose
Tail Code	MQ
Engagements	Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Current commander	LtCol M.A. Sexton

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774 (HMM-774) is a United States Marine Corps medium helicopter squadron consisting of CH-46E Sea Knight transport helicopters. The squadron, known as the "Wild Goose", is a United States Marine Corps Reserve unit based at Naval Station Norfolk (Chambers Field), Virginia and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 49 (MAG-49) and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing (4th MAW).

Mission

Maintain combat readiness and provide support to the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. Missions include assault support, CASEVAC, helicopter support team training and SEAL team support.

History

Marine Medium Helicopter 774 was activated September 5, 1958, at Naval Air Station New York as Marine Transport Helicopter Squadron 774 (HMR-774). The squadron operated the SH-34G/J Sea Bat helicopter. In April 1962 the squadron was redesignated Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774, but was deactivated in September.

HMM-774 was reactivated at Naval Air Station Norfolk (Chambers Field) on July 1, 1969. HMM-774 initially operated UH-34D Sea Horse helicopters. In 1970, the CH-46 replaced the UH-34 and in 1971 the squadron was assigned under the command of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. In December 1990, HMM-774 was activated as an element of Marine Aircraft Group 26, I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF). The squadron was subsequently assigned for duty with I MEF in Southwest Asia and saw action in Operation Desert Storm. Since 2001, the squadron has also seen periods of mobilization to full active duty and deployments to Al Asad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On July 12th, 2010, HMM-774 embarked aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) in support of Continuing Promise 2010. During this humanitarian mission, HMM-774 provided support to numerous countries in South America, to include Haiti, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, Guatemala, Suriname and Costa Rica. HMM-774 also played a vital role in the aftermath of Hurricane Thomas while deployed to South America and the Caribbean. Shortly after Hurricane Thomas passed through the Bahamas, HMM-774 pulled out of Suriname in short notice and followed the storm to Haiti. Once Hurricane Thomas made landfall, USS Iwo Jima rushed to the scene. Within hours of Hurricane Thomas' destruction, USS Iwo Jima was on the site and HMM-774 was flying aerial recon to asess the situation and decide if further assistance was required.

HMM-774 Phrog on the flightline at Al Asad, Iraq in January 2006

See also

United States Marine Corps portal

• List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
• United States Marine Corps Aviation

Notes

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

Bibliography

Web

• HMM-774's official website
• Unit Blog from Iraq