HMLA-267
Trademark
UnclaimedHMLA-267 is a United States Marine Corps light attack helicopter squadron known as the Stingers.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267, commonly abbreviated HMLA-267 and nicknamed the Stingers, is an active United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton in California. It operates within Marine Aircraft Group 39 of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Although the supplied record describes it as a brand, HMLA-267 is more accurately understood as a military organizational identity and unit designation rather than a commercial brand. The squadron provides aviation support to Marine Air-Ground Task Force commanders. Its responsibilities include offensive air support, utility transport and support, armed escort, and airborne coordination of supporting arms. These missions may be conducted during expeditionary, joint, or combined operations, in daylight or darkness and in a range of weather conditions. The unit also supplies aviation detachments to Marine Amphibious Units and Marine Expeditionary Units. HMLA-267 traces its lineage to Marine Observation Squadron 5, commissioned at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, on 15 February 1944. During the Second World War, the unit flew OY-1 Sentinel observation aircraft and performed artillery spotting and battlefield observation. It deployed to the Pacific and participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima before undertaking occupation duty in Japan. The wartime squadron was decommissioned in January 1946, but its lineage was later revived during the expansion of Marine Corps aviation in the Vietnam era. The unit was re-established at Camp Pendleton in December 1966 as VMO-5, a training organization equipped with UH-1E Huey helicopters and OV-10 Bronco aircraft. It became HML-267 in March 1968 and trained replacement aircrews during the Vietnam War. Subsequent aircraft changes included the UH-1N, AH-1J Cobra, AH-1W Super Cobra, and eventually the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom. The HMLA designation reflects the combination of attack and utility helicopter capabilities. From the 1970s onward, the squadron developed a recurring overseas presence, rotating personnel and aircraft to Okinawa under the Unit Deployment Program and participating in exercises across the Pacific, including activities involving Korea, Guam, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Iwo Jima, and Australia. Its operational history also includes deployments connected with the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other expeditionary missions. In the early 1990s, detachments associated with HMLA-267 supported Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Desert Sweep, and Restore Hope. In 1995, the unit served as the aviation combat element of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 1-95 during Operation United Shield in Somalia. During Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, HMLA-267 supported I Marine Expeditionary Force combat operations from Kuwait and Iraq. The squadron reported flying more than 2,100 combat flight hours and approximately 1,400 combat sorties during a three-week period. It also supported Operation Enduring Freedom, including an Afghanistan deployment in 2011. In 2012, HMLA-267 completed its transition from the AH-1W to the AH-1Z Viper and from the UH-1N to the UH-1Y Venom, becoming the first Marine light attack helicopter squadron to complete the transition to both newer aircraft types. Today, the Stingers remain an operational Marine Corps helicopter squadron focused on integrated expeditionary aviation support.
History
HMLA-267's lineage begins with the commissioning of Marine Observation Squadron 5 at Marine Corps Base Quantico on 15 February 1944. Known at that time as the Black Aces, the squadron operated OY-1 Sentinel observation aircraft and specialized in battlefield observation and artillery fire-direction support. After training at Camp Pendleton and Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii, it deployed to the Pacific with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The unit divided into forward elements staged at Saipan and Guam before the Iwo Jima campaign. On 26 February 1945, its first aircraft arrived on Iwo Jima from the escort carrier USS Wake Island. Beginning the next day, its aircraft helped observe and adjust artillery fire for the 13th Marine Regiment. After the campaign, the squadron moved to Hawaii and later performed occupation duty in Japan from September 1945 through January 1946. It returned to San Diego and was decommissioned on 31 January 1946. The lineage was revived during the Vietnam-era expansion of Marine aviation. On 15 December 1966, a Camp Pendleton subunit of Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 30 was redesignated VMO-5 and organized as a training squadron under Marine Helicopter Training Group 30 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Its aircraft included UH-1E Hueys and OV-10 Broncos. In March 1968, it became HML-267 and remained on alert while training replacement pilots and aircrew for the Vietnam conflict. Reorganization in 1971 left the squadron operating only UH-1E helicopters, and by the end of 1976 it had shifted to UH-1N aircraft. During the 1970s and 1980s, HML-267 developed the deployment pattern that shaped its later operational identity. A portion of its aircraft and personnel rotated to Okinawa approximately every six months. AH-1J Cobras joined the utility helicopters in 1982, and the Unit Deployment Program formalized a cycle of six months in Okinawa followed by eighteen months at Camp Pendleton. The squadron trained and exercised throughout the Pacific, with activities involving Korea, Guam, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Iwo Jima, and Australia. It was redesignated HMLA-267 in 1987 and received AH-1W Super Cobras. By 1988, its forces were distributed among an Okinawa deployment, a Marine Expeditionary Unit attachment, and a shipboard detachment aboard USS Dubuque. The squadron supported major post-Cold War operations. In 1990, one element deployed to Okinawa while another joined HMM-164 aboard USS Okinawa. That ship's West Pacific deployment was diverted to the Persian Gulf in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, keeping the force away from its home port for 354 days. In 1992, another HMM-164-associated element deployed aboard USS Tripoli and supported Operation Desert Sweep before moving to Somalia. HMLA-267 personnel participated in the initial Marine insertion associated with Operation Restore Hope. In January 1995, the squadron embarked aboard LHA-3 as the aviation combat element of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 1-95 for Operation United Shield in Somalia. In January 2003, HMLA-267 deployed with Amphibious Task Force West in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It moved to Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait in February and supported I Marine Expeditionary Force operations in Iraq from 20 March until its return to the United States in May. During approximately three weeks of combat operations, the unit reported more than 2,100 combat flight hours and 1,400 combat sorties. Later in 2003, it returned to Okinawa under the Unit Deployment Program and conducted exercises in South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines. From August through October, a detachment supported Joint Task Force 515 in the Philippines and provided aerial escort during a presidential visit. In 2004, a detachment of AH-1W and UH-1N aircraft joined the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. By the end of that year, HMLA-267 had become the principal provider of HMLA detachments to the 11th, 13th, 15th, and 31st Marine Expeditionary Units in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and III Marine Expeditionary Force. Its operational focus increasingly emphasized the Western Pacific and East Asia, while the squadron also supported the wider Global War on Terror. Its mission formally shifted toward Operation Enduring Freedom in April 2010, and it deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. A major modernization milestone occurred in April 2012, when HMLA-267 completed its transition from the AH-1W to the AH-1Z Viper and from the UH-1N to the UH-1Y Venom. This made it the first HMLA to complete the transition to both new platforms. The modern squadron combines attack, utility, escort, and coordination functions in support of Marine expeditionary forces. It remains based at Camp Pendleton under Marine Aircraft Group 39 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
- 2012
Completed AH-1Z and UH-1Y transition
[1]The squadron became the first HMLA to fully transition to the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom.
- 2011
Afghanistan deployment
[1]HMLA-267 deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
- 2003
Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment
[1]The squadron supported I Marine Expeditionary Force combat operations in Iraq and later deployed to Okinawa.
- 1995
Operation United Shield
[1]HMLA-267 served as the aviation combat element of SPMAGTF 1-95 during Operation United Shield in Somalia.
- 1992
Somalia operations
[1]A detachment aboard USS Tripoli supported operations in the Persian Gulf and Somalia, including the opening phase of Operation Restore Hope.
- 1990
Persian Gulf deployment
[1]A detachment associated with HMM-164 deployed aboard USS Okinawa in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
- 1987
Redesignated HMLA-267
[1]The squadron received the HMLA designation and began receiving AH-1W Super Cobras.
- 1982
Attack helicopters added
[1]AH-1J Cobra helicopters joined the squadron's Huey utility helicopters.
- 1968
Redesignated HML-267
[1]The unit became Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 267 in March 1968.
- 1966
Lineage reactivated as VMO-5
[1]A Camp Pendleton training subunit was redesignated VMO-5 on 15 December 1966.
Products and positioning
A Marine Corps light attack aviation unit combining attack-helicopter and utility-helicopter capabilities for expeditionary, joint, and combined operations.
Attack helicopter · 2012
AH-1Z Viper
The AH-1Z Viper is HMLA-267's modern attack-helicopter platform. It provides offensive air support, armed escort, and other aviation functions for Marine expeditionary forces. The squadron completed its transition from the AH-1W Super Cobra to the AH-1Z in 2012.
Utility helicopter · 2012
UH-1Y Venom
The UH-1Y Venom is the squadron's modern utility helicopter. It supports transport, utility missions, escort-related tasks, and the broader aviation requirements of Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations. HMLA-267 completed its transition from the UH-1N to the UH-1Y in 2012.
Marketing campaigns
- 2011Operation Enduring Freedom
Afghanistan
The squadron deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
- 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraq and Kuwait
HMLA-267 deployed through Kuwait and supported I Marine Expeditionary Force combat operations in Iraq.
Outcome. The squadron returned to the United States in May 2003 after reporting more than 2,100 combat flight hours and 1,400 combat sorties during approximately three weeks of operations.
- 1995Operation United Shield
Somalia
The squadron served as the aviation combat element of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 1-95.
Outcome. The unit provided aviation support during the operation's Somalia mission.
- 1992Operation Restore Hope
Somalia
A detachment associated with HMM-164 and HMLA-267 moved from a West Pacific deployment into operations in Somalia.
Outcome. HMLA-267 personnel participated in the initial Marine insertion.
- 1990Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm
Persian Gulf
A HMLA-267 element deployed aboard USS Okinawa after a routine West Pacific assignment was redirected to the Persian Gulf.
Outcome. The deployment kept the force away from its home port for 354 days.
- 1945Battle of Iwo Jima
Pacific Theater
As VMO-5, the unit used OY-1 Sentinel aircraft to observe battlefield conditions and support artillery during the Iwo Jima campaign.
Outcome. The squadron continued Pacific operations after the campaign and later performed occupation duty in Japan.
Brand decisions
2012
Transition to next-generation helicoptersGeneration changeBackground
The Marine Corps was replacing older AH-1W and UH-1N aircraft with the AH-1Z and UH-1Y platforms.
Action taken
HMLA-267 completed its conversion to AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters.
Aftermath
The squadron became the first HMLA to complete both transitions and continued operating as a modern light attack helicopter unit.
1987
Adoption of the HMLA designationStrategyBackground
The squadron had developed both utility and attack helicopter capabilities through the addition of Cobra aircraft.
Action taken
The unit was redesignated HMLA-267 and began receiving AH-1W Super Cobras.
Aftermath
The combined attack-and-utility identity became central to the squadron's operational role.
Sources2 sources
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