HMLA-469

Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 (HMLA-469) was a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1 SuperCobra and AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. The squadron was last headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton in Southern California and fell under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW). The squadron was commissioned on June 30, 2009 and decommissioned on December 16 2022.[1]

Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469
HMLA-469's insignia
ActiveJune 30, 2009–December 16,2022[1]
CountryUnited States
BranchMarine Corps
TypeLight attack squadron
Role
Sizec. 350 Marines[1]
Part ofN/A
Garrison/HQMarine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton
Nickname(s)"Vengeance"[1]
Motto(s)Attack with vengeance![2]
Tail CodeSE[1]
EngagementsUS War in Afghanistan
Camp Bastion attack
WebsiteOfficial website
Commanders
Current
commander		Lieutenant Colonel Michael Piacente[3]
Aircraft flown
Attack helicopter
Utility helicopterUH-1Y Venom

Mission

The mission of the HMLA is to support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Commander by providing offensive air support, utility support, armed escort and airborne supporting arms coordination, day or night under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint or combined operations.

History

On October 29, 2009 a US Coast Guard HC-130 aircraft with seven crewmembers collided with an HMLA-469 AH-1 Cobra helicopter with two crewmembers 15 mi (24 km) east of San Clemente Island. Both aircraft crashed into the Pacific Ocean and all nine crewmembers in both aircraft were killed.[4] The Coast Guard's HC-130 was searching for a missing boater while the Marine Corps' helicopter was heading towards a military training area in company with another Cobra and two CH-53E Super Stallions from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.[5]

See also

References
Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
  1. "3rd Marine Aircraft Wing > Units > MAG-39 > HMLA-469 > History". 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  2. Piacente, Michael (16 October 2017). "HMLA-469 Commander's Policy Statement" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 October 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  3. "Lieutenant Colonel Michael Piacente > 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing > LeadersView". 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  4. Schmidt, Steve, "Military Aircraft In Collision Off Coast", San Diego Union-Tribune, October 30, 2009, p. 1.
  5. Steele, Jeanette, "Search For Crash Answers", San Diego Union-Tribune, October 31, 2009, p. 1.
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