Nassau (LHA 4) - Naval Cruise Book

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M29 1 KKN

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In Dedication To A Manne Who Ga ve H13 Lnfe For H119 Country. He May Be Gone, But He's Not Forgotten.

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m HMM - 264 Squadron Histor The Black Knights of HMM-264 were activated on 30 June 1959. The squadron was originally named Marine Helicopter Transportation Squadron CLightj 264. In February 1962 it was redesignated to it's present title, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264. HMM-264 has been a leader in helicopter tactics, being the first squadron to develop the doctrine of vertical envelopment, while aboard the USS BOXER LPH-4. A modern day example of this tactic was the heliborne landing of U.S. Marines on the island of Grenada in October 1983. The Black Knights, in the fall of 1961, were called upon to assist kin evacuating and resupplying the unfortunate victims of Hurricane Carla which devastated portions of Texas and Louisiana. Also assisted were the victims of Hurricane Hattie which hit British Honduras Qnow Belizej. Humanitarian service has been a part of the Squadron's history to this day. The Squadron has been the recipient of numerous medals and awards. One of the more memorable awards was the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, earned during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis in which the Black Knights played a key role. 28 April 1965 was another special date in Black Knight history. On this date, from the deck of the USS BOXER, HMM-264 launched the first ever all helicopter nighttime assault under actual combat conditions into an unsecure landing zone. The place was Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. This marked the first landing of U.S. Marines on Dominican soil since the early 1930's. It was also the first time that a helo assault had been made over the beach without supporting units ashore. The results of this effort accounted for over 1750 American Embassy personnel being evacuated from the war-torn Santo Domingo. Shortly thereafter, in May 1965, the Black Knights were distinguished as the first Marine helicopter squadron to fly 25,000 accident-free hours. The squadron continued this pace, logging milestones of 30,000, 40,000 and 50,000 accident-free hours. In 1968 the aging UH-34 was retired and the new Boeing-Vertol CH-46 was received. Undergoing numerous improvements over the years, this aircraft proved to be the workhorse of the Squadron during the Vietnam War. ' Through the 1970's to the present the squadron made numerous cruises from the warm Caribbean Islands to the icy waters of the North Atlantic and on the sun-drenched beaches of the Mediterranean. In keeping with Squadron tradition, the Black Knights served with the Multi- National Peace Keeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon in 1983. Due in part to the heroic rescue of snow-stranded Lebanese civilians in the Chauf Mountains, the Squadron was awarded the Defense Transporation Award of the National Defense Transporatation Association, the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, the Navy unit Commendation and the 1983 Commander of Naval Operations Safety Award. In October 1983 the Black Knights were at sea again, this time to Central America and an important exercise, AHAUS TARA II in Honduras. This was the first joint Honduran-U.S. Marine amphibious assault on the northern coast of Honduras. In addition to tactical maneuvers, the Squadron conducted humanitarian services as well, transporting food and medical services to impoverished inhabitants of inland villages. Injuly 1984, the Black Knights embarked aboard the USS INCHON LPH-4 as the Aviation Combat Element of the 22d MAU. This would be the first deployment of a Marine Amphibious Unit since 1982 that would not transit directly to Beirut. Without the benefit of the normal turnover information from the outgoing Squadron, the Black knights planned and executed no less than five shore basings in over four countries and seven exercises in six different locales, to include Display Determination. LF6F 3-84 ended 19 February 1985 after the successful completion of two major PHIBLEX's. During April and May of 1985 HMM-264, just one month back in CONUS, redeployed to Atlantic Field for participation in Bold Strike 1 -85. Showing their flexibility and readiness, the Black Knights flew in support of Solid Shield 1-85 immediately following Bold Strike. The remainder of 1985 found HMM-264 beginning the intensive training build up prior to the rapidly approaching Mediterranean deployment, in May of 1986. During the early months of 1986, HMM-264 was hard at work putting the finishing touches on six months of heavy training evolutions in which the goal ws to become a special operations capable squadron in support of the 24th MAU CSOCD. LF6F 2-86 began 8 MAY 1986. HMM- 264 met all challenges required of the special operation capable MAU. Exercise included: Spanish PHIBLEX at Sierra de Retin, Tridente I 8: II at Capo Teulada, National Week at Brindisi, Italy, and Display Determination '86 at Capo Teulada and Saros Bay, Turkey. A very successful six month cruise ended on 2 November 1986, as the Black Knights returned to MCAS New River to prepare for another deployment to the Mediterranean in nine months. Once again, 1987 found the Black Knights preparing for another deployment tothe Mediterranean. In only five months HMM-264 went composite again to include not only the helicopter portion of the ACE but also the AV-8B and elements from LAAD and DASC. A complete composite squadron wasa feat never performed before by an East Coast Marine Helicopter squadron. All the while HMM-264 was still receiving and analyzing the new SR8cM CH-46E and deploying to many areas to receive specialized training. just six months after being composite the Black Knights departed CONUS for the Mediterranean on 30 September 1987. While serving as part of LF6F 4-87 in Spain, Italy, France, and North Africa HMM-264 has constantly set the precedent in innovative ideas for helicopter operations