page_title: HMH-461
section_title: 21st century
hierarchical_section_title: HMH-461 / History / 21st century
caption_attribution_description: English: A CH-53E Super Stallion from HMH-461 Det A attached to HMM-365(REIN) flies over the red desert south of Kandahar, Afghanistan in support of Operation Azada Wosa.
context_page_description: Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-53E Super Stallion transport helicopters. The squadron, known as "Ironhorse", is based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 29 and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. With its lineage starting in 1944, HMH-461 is the oldest active Heavy Lift Helicopter Squadron in the Marine Corps.
context_section_description: Following the attacks on 11 September  2001, HMH-461 was the first Marine Corps helicopter unit deployed to Djibouti, Africa, in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa.  The deployment conducted multiple operations in support of special operations during the Global War on Terror.  In June, while on a routine training mission (7) 1000 lbs bombs were dropped on two CH-53Es standing Casevac on the Godoria Range by an Air Force B-52. Captain Seth Michaud was killed in the mishap and both aircraft were destroyed. In October 2003, HMH-461 retrograded home to MCAS New River but would return again with detachments in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012. 
  At the same time that the squadron main body was deployed to the Horn of Africa, HMH-461's Marines supporting the 22 MEU also encountered difficult flying in the treacherous mountains of Afghanistan.  The 22 MEU ACE was stationed at the Kandahar airport in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and designated as part of Task Force Linebacker.  The CH-53E proved invaluable in the challenging environmental conditions of Afghanistan.  Throughout the spring and summer, the detachment helped efforts to battle Taliban forces, register 58,000 Afghan voters, and treat 2,000 medical and dental patients.  After their successful 7 month deployment, the Ironhorses attached to HMM-266 returned to MCAS New River on 16 September 2004.
  On August 29, 2005, HMH-461 received the order to deploy with 18 hours notice in support of relief operations for Hurricane Katrina. HMH-461 became the parent squadron and formed  HMH-461(-)(REIN) with Marines and equipment from HMH-464, VMM-365, HMT-302 and VMM 264 to support the Special Marine Air-Ground Task Force for the disaster area. HMH-461 self-deployed to NAS Pensacola and started relief operations the next day in New Orleans and Mississippi. Their operations would continue for a month and would also serve to relieve the effects felt after Hurricane Rita made landfall. 
  Shortly after returning home, the squadron received a warning to embark HMH-461 to go to Mar Del Plata, Argentina to support the President of the United States in support of the 4th Summit of the Americas. Two and a half weeks were spent in Argentina before returning to United States.
  While simultaneously deploying detachments to the Horn of Africa in 2005 and 2006, the squadron's detachment to HMM-261 in support of the 22 MEU, deployed from the Persian Gulf more than 456 miles inland to conduct operations supporting 2d MAW in Al Asad, Iraq.  They supported OIF 04 -06 through daily operations within the Multi-National Forces-West Area of Operations.  Following their operations in Iraq, the detachment then supported Operation Image Nautilus 2006 in Djibouti, Africa.
  The next HMH-461 MEU detachment, attached to VMM-365 in August 2007 and would deploy to Kandahar, Afghanistan in March 2008. The Marines of HMH-461 Det A continued to support the assault support and heavy lift requirements of the 24th MEU operating in the volatile Helmand Province of Afghanistan until they all returned home safely in November 2008.
  Notice came again to deploy in June 2009 with five days warning in order to support Operation Jupiter Sentinel.  The squadron rapidly embarked 4 aircraft and all available Ironhorse Marines aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) which quickly started steaming towards the Ghanaian coast to support President Barack Obama's visit to Accra and Cape Coast Castle. In January 2010 the squadron was mobilized at short notice and transported the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit to aid relief efforts in Haiti after the recent devastating earthquake (Operation Unified Response).  At the same time, the squadron's MEU detachment deployed early via strategic lift to support disaster relief operations in Pakistan following historic flooding.
  In January 2011, HMH-461, joined by a detachment from HMH-465, deployed to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 11.1. During the deployment, Ironhorse moved more than 7.7 million pounds of cargo, carried over 35,
caption: A CH-53E flown by HMH-461 Det A attached to HMM-365(REIN) flies over the Red Desert south of Kandahar, Afghanistan in support of Operation Azada Wosa.
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