Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. -- For more than a decade, Marines have been flying helicopters in the Horn of Africa where they have been the go-to force for personnel support and recovery missions.
In July of 2011 Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 deployed to the HOA to do their part to support joint operations in Africa.
“HMH-464 Detachment A performed as the vertical-lift capability for a Joint Personnel Recovery Task Force stationed at Camp Lemmonier,” said Maj. Stuart H. Howell, Detachment A officer in charge. “Essentially, if the CJTF-HOA commander needed helicopters for a (recovery) mission we were his primary asset.”
While deployed, HMH-464 conducted many missions, including troop transport and heavy-lifting flights.
“The highlight of the deployment was representing the Marine Corps forward deployed in a joint task force,” said Howell. “It was great to have members of the other services praise our work and the professionalism of our Marines.”
Howell added that the deployment went very well. It was a great opportunity to be forward deployed and work in a challenging joint environment.
“While we were there, we did what Marines do best and we were ready to go at a moment’s notice,” said Howell.
Now that HMH-464’s part in CJTF-HOA is complete, they have passed the torch to another unit.
The Marines officially transferred authority to the Air Force’s 303rd expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Feb. 1.
Upon arriving home two weeks later, the Marines of HMH-464 greeted their families and loved ones. They are all currently working at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point where they are performing maintenance on their fleet of CH-53E Super Stallions.