HMLA 773 DET B
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Det. Cmdr |
LtCol Zinni, Eugene J. |
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Executive Officer |
Maj. Bartolomea, Richard F. |
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HMLA OIC |
LtCol Watkins, Charles R. |
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PWST Cmdr |
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Senior Enlisted Advisor |
MSgt Romero, Scottie J. |
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Commercial |
609-562-8711 |
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Address: |
4401 Texas Ave
Fort Dix, NJ 08610 |
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 Detachment B was originally established as HMLA 773 DET A at NAS JRB Willow Grove, PA in October 1997. The unit's parent squadron at inception was HMLA 773 based at NAS Atlanta, Georgia. The mission of the squadron detachment is to provide attack helicopter support, utility helicopter support, and fire support coordination for aerial and ground forces during amphibious operations and subsequent operations ashore.
From the beginning, HMLA 773 DET B has maintained a high operational tempo with multiple unit deployments and a heavy load of Frag support. In 1998, the detachment conducted their first Annual Training at their home-site, NAS/JRB Willow Grove, PA. 1999 saw the unit fly across the country to conduct their Annual Training aboard the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) Twentynine Palms, CA in support of a Combined Arms Exercise (CAX).
The year 2001 brought major change upon the unit. The HMLA detachment shifted parent commands from HMLA 773 to HMLA 775. The detachment's parent location became Camp Pendleton, CA, and their call sign became "Coyotes." On 3 March 2001, the detachment relocated to Johnstown, PA. The move to a civilian facility created many infrastructure challenges that the detachment overcame through hard work and strong leadership. The Coyotes conducted their Annual Training at the new drill site in order to maximize unit training and to become acclimated to their new surroundings; following September 2001, the unit stood by for potential mobilization due to national security concerns.
2002 was the first full operational year for the HMLA 775 DET A Coyotes at their new home-site in Johnstown, PA. The detachment pressed forward with robust operational requirements. Twice during the year, the detachment successfully deployed in support of Joint Task Force Six Counter-Narcotic Operations in Branson, MO and Greenville, SC. The standouts among the missions flown during the year were the support of Naval Reserve SEAL Special Boat Unit 20 at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, Operation Carolina Thunder at MCAS New River, NC, and MAG 49 Exercise "Urban Strike."
In late 2003 HMLA-775 DET A was informed of the great possibility of a Combat Activation by Presidential orders; and in January of 2004 the entire squadron was activated in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. With 115 enlisted Marines and 24 Aviators strong they were ready to pair up with their sister squadron HMLA 775 (-), Camp Pendleton, CA and head to war. In late February 2004 their first tour began and proved to be a success. In August 2004 their replacements showed up and they soon rotated out. In September, having flown over 4000 hours and not dropping a single mission, they returned home with a warm welcome from family and friends.
2004 was ending and word came down of a second deployment. Unknowing of the date, the marines of HMLA-775 stood by awaiting the news. February rolled around and off they went again to Iraq, again in support of OIF. This time the missions increased greatly; with Convoy Escorts, and Medical Evacuations the squadron was constantly on its toes. HMLA-775 was replaced and returned home in October of 2005 with almost double the flight hours of the previous tour at over 7,500 hours.
During the end of the deployment HMLA-775 Det A integrated into Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775. On October 3rd, 2005 and after its second successful combat deployment to Al Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq, HMLA-775 was released by the gaining force command (II Marine Expeditionary Force). Upon release from the gaining force command, HMLA-775 was considered demobilized and subsequently reformed into two separate units: HMLA-775(-) and HMLA-775 Det A.
HMLA-775 Det A returned to the Marine Corps Reserve Training Center, Johnstown, Pennsylvania on 10 October 2005. The combat proven Marines received a hero’s welcome and were again met by numerous family, friends, and community leaders. The Commanding General of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Brigadier General Robert D. Papak, was on hand to personally thank the marines and their families for a job well done. Following a 96-hour, post deployment, liberty period, the Johnstown Marines returned to work focused and well rested.
In order to streamline command relationships, the Commanding General, 4thMAW transferred operational control (OPCON) of the Detachment from Marine Aircraft Group 46 based at Camp Pendleton to Marine Aircraft Group 49 based at Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. This resulted in MAG-49 gaining both operational and administrative control (ADCON) of the Detachment. In addition the MAG-49 Commanding Officer, Colonel Mark E. Monroe clarified command relationships for the Detachment.
Due to logistical constraints, the detachment was forced to leave their aircraft in Iraq for use by the Squadron that relieved them. As a result plans were developed to transfer aircraft from other active component squadrons to the Detachment. From 4 November 2005, to 15 December 2005 the Detachment accepted a total of six AH-1W’s and four UH-1N helicopters from HMLA-775 (-) based at Camp Pendleton and HMLA-773 (-) base at NAS Atlanta Georgia and began ferrying them back to Johnstown. This finalized the Detachments aircraft acceptance process and they could again conduct flight operations.
On 15 & 16 November 2005, two detachment AH-1W’s honored two HMLA-369 Aviators killed in Iraq by performing two separate Arlington National Cemetery flyovers. The year 2008 brought major change upon the unit. The HMLA detachment shifted parent commands from HMLA 775 to HMLA 773. The detachment's parent location became NAS Marietta, GA, and their call sign became "RED DOG."
As in the past, The Marines of HMLA 773 DET B continue to have a positive influence on the surrounding community. HMLA 773 DET B Marines have provided and continue to provide Color Guards for countless funerals for local veterans and have supported numerous static displays and flyovers for local schools, recruiters and other organizations. The Marines of HMLA 773 DET B will continue to fine tune their operational readiness and stand ready to answer the call whenever and wherever necessary.