New helo squadrons take over in Afghanistan

[unhappycamper]

Marines prepare an AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter for takeoff Jan. 12 on the flight deck of Camp Bastion, Helmand province, Afghanistan. The Marines of Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, a section of the air combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force -- Afghanistan, provided support to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), the ground combat element of SPMAGTF-A. It was replaced in a handover ceremony Wednesday by HMLA-167.


New helo squadrons take over in Afghanistan
Staff report
Posted : Friday Mar 13, 2009 13:40:20 EDT

Two Marine helicopter squadrons that have served with the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force deployed to Afghanistan since the summer will be replaced by the end of the month, Marine officials said.

Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, of Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., was replaced by HMLA-167 in a transfer of authority ceremony on Wednesday, said 1st Lt. Stewart Coles, a Marine spokesman in Afghanistan. HMLA-269 has operated AH-1W Super Cobras in southern Afghanistan in support of ground units there, including Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines.

Later this month, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 is expected to be replaced by MCAS Miramar, Calif.-based HMH-361, Coles said. Both units operate CH-53E Super Stallions.


Article at: http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/03/marine_afghan_helos_031309w/%2e