Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 (HMM-266) was activated on September 26, 1983, at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. The squadron, known as the "Fighting Griffins," operated CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters and provided assault support for Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations. HMM-266 participated in numerous deployments and operations, including peacekeeping in Lebanon, Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and multiple deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2006, the squadron transitioned to the MV-22 Osprey and was redesignated as VMM-266, continuing its legacy of excellence in tiltrotor aviation.
