HMM-561

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 561


caption= HMM-561 insignia
dates= January 31, 1967 – October 27, 1969
country= United States
allegiance=
branch=USMC
type= Training
role=
size=
command_structure= Inactive
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colors=VX
colors_label=Tail Code
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Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 561 (HMM-561) was a training squadron of the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. They were active for two years during which time they provided refresher training to UH-34 Sea Horse pilots and crews heading to Vietnam. The squadron, based at Marine Corps Air Facility Santa Ana, fell under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 56 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. They were the last, active UH-34 squadron in the Fleet Marine Force.

Mission

Provide refresher training to Marines who would be joining UH-34D squadrons in Vietnam and also be prepared to conduct local Search and Rescue missions, provide VIP transport, and other commitments as required by local commands.

History

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 561 (HMM-561) was activated on January 31, 1967. Undermanned from the start, the unit remained in cadre status until May 8, 1967 when they were formally stood up. Starting in January 1969, UH-34 deployments started to slow down as the Marine Corps transitioned its remaining squadrons to the CH-46 Sea Knight.

The squadron was decommissioned on October 27, 1969 and was the last active UH-34 squadron in the Fleet Marine Force. [Fails(1978), p. 127.] Squadron members were absorbed by the other helicopter communities or given the Marine Air Reserve Training Detachment (MARTD) of their choice as a next duty station.

Unit award

A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation. HMM-561 was presented with the following award:

See also

* United States Marine Corps Aviation
* List of inactive United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
* List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons

References

;Notes

;Bibliography

*cite book
title=Marines and Helicopters 1962-1973
author=Fails, William R
date = 1978
publisher=History and Museums Division - Headquarters Marine Corps
id=ISBN 0-78811-818-8

;Web
*cite web
title = Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 561 (HMM-561)
work = USMC Helicopter/Tiltrotor Squadrons
publisher = HMA1369
date =
url = http://www.geocities.com/hma1369/561.html
accessdate =
*cite web
title = HMM-561 NOTAM Board
publisher = USMC Combat Helicopter Association
date =
url = http://www.popasmoke.com/notam2/archive/index.php/t-5510.html
accessdate =