VMM-268
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA United States Marine Corps medium tiltrotor squadron operating MV-22B Osprey aircraft in assault-support and expeditionary missions.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
VMM-268, formerly designated HMM-268, is a United States Marine Corps medium tiltrotor squadron known as the Red Dragons. It is based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe and operates under Marine Aircraft Group 24 within the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. The squadron's military role is to provide assault support for the landing force, including ship-to-shore movement and follow-on operations ashore. Its aircraft provide personnel and cargo transport, tactical insertion, casualty evacuation support, disaster-response lift, and other expeditionary mobility functions. The unit's lineage began with the activation of Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 268 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, on September 15, 1972. That incarnation was deactivated in 1977. The squadron was reactivated as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 at Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, California, on March 1, 1979. Equipped with CH-46 helicopters, it developed a reputation for medium-lift operations, night assault capability, and aviation safety. It later became associated with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing's night-assault mission and pursued an extensive night-vision-goggle program. During the late Cold War and early post-Cold War period, HMM-268 participated in exercises and maritime deployments, including operations connected with the Exxon Valdez oil-spill cleanup. The squadron also recorded significant mishap-free flight-hour milestones and received Chief of Naval Operations safety recognition. Its expeditionary identity became particularly visible during the 1990-91 Persian Gulf crisis and Operation Desert Storm, when it deployed as part of the aviation combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. It supported the movement of Marine forces into combat, flew intensive assault-support missions, and remained in Southwest Asia after the ground conflict to support I Marine Expeditionary Force. The Red Dragons continued to deploy frequently during the 1990s and 2000s. Missions included support to Operation Restore Hope II in Somalia, humanitarian and United Nations activity, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Safe Departure, East Timor relief operations, and multiple deployments to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In Iraq, the squadron performed assault support and casualty evacuation missions for Marine units operating in combat areas. It also supported domestic emergency response in 2008, when its aircraft were assigned to help California firefighting efforts. In 2011-12, HMM-268 served as the aviation combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit during a shipboard deployment aboard USS Makin Island and USS New Orleans. The deployment included theater-security-cooperation exercises and national tasking missions across the Indo-Pacific and Middle East. After returning, the squadron began its transition from the CH-46E Sea Knight to the MV-22B Osprey. In April 2014, it was redesignated VMM-268, reflecting the Marine Corps-wide shift from medium helicopters to tiltrotor aircraft. The current VMM designation identifies the squadron's ability to combine helicopter-like vertical takeoff and landing with substantially greater range and speed. VMM-268 subsequently supported the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command during Operation Inherent Resolve. The squadron remains an operational Marine aviation unit rather than a commercial brand, with its capabilities centered on expeditionary assault support, tactical mobility, humanitarian assistance, casualty evacuation, and crisis response.
History
The squadron lineage began on September 15, 1972, when Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 268 was activated at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. That organization was deactivated on September 30, 1977. On March 1, 1979, the unit was reactivated at Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, California, as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268. Operating CH-46 helicopters, it was assigned a medium-lift role and developed a strong emphasis on readiness, night operations, and safety. The squadron returned to MCAS Tustin in 1980 and reached 10,000 accident-free flight hours in September 1981, earning the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for that year. It was subsequently identified as the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing's night-assault squadron and introduced an intensive night-vision-goggle program. In February 1984 it again passed the 10,000-hour mishap-free flight mark. During exercises and deployments between 1989 and 1990, including MAGTF 89-3 aboard USS Ogden, the unit supported varied operational and contingency requirements and surpassed 20,000 mishap-free flight hours. The Gulf crisis produced one of the squadron's first major post-Cold War combat deployments. As the aviation combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, HMM-268 deployed aboard USS New Orleans in December 1990 with the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. It conducted shipboard night-vision qualifications and supported Operation Desert Shield. During Operation Desert Storm, the unit moved ashore and provided assault support for the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, including the insertion of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines near the Saudi-Kuwaiti border. It flew more than 450 hours in one week and then supported I Marine Expeditionary Force from Saudi Arabia. The squadron re-embarked in April 1991 and continued the deployment until returning to the United States in August. In 1993-94, HMM-268 deployed to the Western Pacific and was redirected to Somalia for Operation Restore Hope II. Its tasks included support for humanitarian and United Nations missions and official visits. The Marine Corps Aviation Association later recognized it as Marine Helicopter Squadron of the Year for 1994. In 1998, while assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, it deployed early in response to the Iraq crisis. It participated in Operation Southern Watch and Operation Safe Departure, helping evacuate more than 170 American citizens from Eritrea. The squadron returned in August 1998 after receiving another Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award. The unit moved from MCAS El Toro to Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton in February 1999. In 2001 it deployed as the first aviation combat element from Marine Aircraft Group 39 assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. It also supported humanitarian operations in East Timor, transporting several hundred tons of relief supplies. During the post-September 11 period, HMM-268 deployed repeatedly to Iraq. It began its 2003 deployment to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and performed combat support and casualty evacuation missions before returning in September. A further deployment in 2004-05 supported I Marine Expeditionary Force units during Operation Iraqi Freedom II. In early 2006 the squadron returned to Iraq, operating from Al Taqaddum Airfield and conducting casualty evacuation and assault support. In 2008 it supported California wildfire operations, and in 2009 it deployed again to Iraq in support of forward operations by 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. In November 2011, HMM-268 embarked aboard USS Makin Island and USS New Orleans for its first shipboard deployment in more than a decade as the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's aviation combat element. The deployment included theater-security-cooperation exercises in Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, along with other national missions. After returning, the squadron began conversion from the CH-46E Sea Knight to the MV-22B Osprey. In April 2014, it was redesignated VMM-268. The new designation reflected the squadron's tiltrotor mission and the replacement of its legacy medium helicopters with Ospreys. VMM-268 later deployed to Southwest Asia with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command 16.1 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
- 2014
Redesignation as VMM-268
[1]The squadron transitioned from CH-46E helicopters to MV-22B Ospreys and adopted the VMM-268 designation.
- 2011
11th MEU shipboard deployment
[1]HMM-268 deployed aboard USS Makin Island and USS New Orleans as the 11th MEU aviation combat element.
- 2003
Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment
[1]The squadron deployed to Kuwait and supported combat and casualty evacuation operations in Iraq.
- 1994
Marine helicopter squadron recognition
[1]The Marine Corps Aviation Association named the unit Marine Helicopter Squadron of the Year.
- 1991
Persian Gulf combat operations
[1]HMM-268 provided assault support during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
- 1981
10,000 accident-free flight hours
[1]The unit reached a 10,000-hour accident-free milestone and received a Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award.
- 1979
Reactivation as HMM-268
[1]The squadron was reactivated at MCAS Tustin as a medium helicopter squadron equipped with CH-46 aircraft.
- 1977
First deactivation
[1]The original HML-268 organization was deactivated.
- 1972
Original activation
[1]Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 268 was activated at MCAS New River, North Carolina.
Products and positioning
An expeditionary Marine aviation unit positioned around rapid, long-range vertical lift and assault support for amphibious, crisis-response, combat, humanitarian, and disaster-relief operations.
Tiltrotor aircraft
MV-22B Osprey
The MV-22B is VMM-268's principal aircraft. Its tilting engine nacelles allow vertical takeoff and landing while enabling faster and longer-range movement than a conventional medium helicopter. In squadron service it supports amphibious assault, ship-to-shore movement, tactical insertion, personnel and cargo transport, casualty evacuation, crisis response, and humanitarian missions.
Medium transport helicopter
CH-46E Sea Knight
The CH-46E was the squadron's principal medium-lift aircraft before the transition to tiltrotor operations. HMM-268 used the type for assault support, expeditionary transport, night operations, casualty evacuation, humanitarian relief, and combat deployments from the late 1970s through the early 2010s.
Marketing campaigns
- 2016Operation Inherent Resolve
Southwest Asia
VMM-268 deployed as part of the aviation combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command 16.1 during operations against Islamic State forces.
Outcome. The squadron contributed expeditionary aviation support to the continuing regional campaign.
- 2008California wildfire response
United States
The squadron provided medium-lift rotary-wing support for federal and state wildfire-response organizations after a request from California's governor.
Outcome. The deployment supported domestic emergency response from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
- 2006Iraq casualty evacuation and assault support
Iraq
Operating from Al Taqaddum Airfield, HMM-268 supported casualty evacuation and assault missions in the surrounding area.
Outcome. The squadron continued operational support during its 2006 Iraq deployment.
- 2004Operation Iraqi Freedom II
Iraq
The squadron provided casualty evacuation support for I Marine Expeditionary Force units involved in combat.
Outcome. The deployment lasted approximately seven months and concluded in March 2005.
- 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraq · Kuwait
HMM-268 deployed through Kuwait and conducted combat assault support and casualty evacuation missions for Marine forces.
Outcome. The squadron returned in September 2003 after sustained operational support.
- 2001East Timor humanitarian operations
East Timor
The squadron supported relief operations by moving essential supplies and humanitarian cargo to communities in East Timor.
Outcome. The unit lifted several hundred tons of needed goods.
- 1998Operation Safe Departure
Eritrea
During an early 11th MEU deployment, HMM-268 supported the evacuation of American citizens from conflict-affected Eritrea.
Outcome. More than 170 American citizens were evacuated during the operation.
- 1993Operation Restore Hope II
Somalia
The squadron supported humanitarian, United Nations, and official-visit missions in Mogadishu after being redirected from a Western Pacific deployment.
Outcome. HMM-268 returned to California in March 1994.
- 1991Operation Desert Storm
Kuwait · Saudi Arabia
HMM-268 delivered assault support for the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, including the tactical insertion of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, and flew an intensive operational tempo during the ground campaign.
Outcome. The unit subsequently supported I Marine Expeditionary Force from Saudi Arabia and completed its deployment in August 1991.
- 1990Operation Desert Shield
Persian Gulf
As the aviation combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, HMM-268 deployed aboard USS New Orleans and supported the buildup and preparation of Marine forces during the Persian Gulf crisis.
Outcome. The squadron continued into combat operations during Desert Storm and remained in Southwest Asia after the ground conflict.
Brand decisions
2014
Redesignation as VMM-268Generation changeBackground
The squadron's aircraft conversion from CH-46E helicopters to MV-22B Ospreys changed its formal Marine Corps aviation designation.
Action taken
The unit stood down and stood up again on the same day under the VMM-268 designation.
Aftermath
VMM-268 continued as an active MV-22 tiltrotor squadron based in Hawaii and assigned to MAG-24 and 1st MAW.
2012
Transition from CH-46E to MV-22BGeneration changeBackground
After its 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployment, the squadron was selected to move from legacy CH-46E medium helicopters to MV-22B tiltrotor aircraft.
Action taken
HMM-268 began conversion training and readiness work for the Osprey platform while maintaining expeditionary capability.
Aftermath
The transition led to the squadron's redesignation as VMM-268 in April 2014.
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