HMT - 301 Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 301 ( HMT - 301 ) , was a United States Marine Corps helicopter training squadron stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii . Known as the Windwalkers , HMT - 301 was part of Marine Aircraft Group 24 ( MAG - 24 ) and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing . HMT - 301 was deactivated by general order in 2005 . History . HMT - 301 traces its roots back to April 1 , 1966 . First activated at MCAS ( H ) Santa Ana , California as HMMT - 301 , the squadron has a long track record of producing fleet ready aviators in aircraft ranging from the UH - 34 to the current CH - 53 D . Aircrew trained at HMT - 301 have utilized the core skills learned to serve the United States in conflicts from Vietnam to the present - day global war against terrorism . Originally flying the UH - 34 Sea Horse , HMMT - 301 was assigned the mission of providing fleet helicopter training to newly designated naval aviators , transition training for fixed wing pilots , and on the job training for enlisted flight crewmembers . By mid - 1967 , in response to the need for trained helicopter crews for combat duty in Southeast Asia , the number grew to ninety officers and over two hundred enlisted . January 25 , 1968 marked the arrival of the Sikorsky CH - 53A Sea Stallion helicopter , a heavy - lift capable helicopter , and the redisignation of HMMT - 301 as HMHT - 301 , the Marine Heavy Training Squadron 301 . The UH - 34 type helicopter retired shortly afterward , once again making the squadron a one - aircraft unit . Restructuring of Marine Aviation led to the emergence of Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 301 ( HMT - 301 ) on March 31 , 1972 . The newly designated squadron flew both the CH - 46 and CH - 53A aircraft . The squadron produced fleet ready aviators in these aircraft for the next ten years . In 1982 the CH - 46 D / F models were replaced by the upgraded CH - 46E . On December 13 , 1983 , HMT - 301 took delivery of the first of the new Sikorsky CH - 53E Super Stallion helicopters . With the activation of the new table of organization , which reflected the addition of the CH - 53E and the Fleet Readiness Aviation Maintenance Personnel ( FRAMP ) program , HMT - 301 officially became the largest squadron in the Marine Corps . HMT - 301 ’ s sister squadron , HMT - 302 , was reactivated in November 1987 , and 301 ’ s CH - 53A and CH - 53E assets were transferred to HMT - 302 . HMT - 301 was reduced from the largest squadron in the Marine Corps to a relatively small squadron with 10 CH - 46E aircraft and 200 personnel . HMT - 301 was deactivated at Marine Corps Air Station in Tustin , California . The squadron had successfully trained over 2500 Naval Aircrew , flying four different aircraft for over 130 , 000 hours . Two years later , on August 24 , 1995 , HMT - 301 returned to the rolls of Marine Corps Aviation , making a new home at its current duty station of Kaneohe Bay . Since its reactivation , the Windwalkers have continued to carry out their assigned mission of training first tour , refresher , conversion , and transition aviators for the CH - 53D helicopter community . The squadron has also been tasked to provide support for tactical operations , troop movements , emergency medevac s , VIP transport and static displays . On June 3 , 2005 , HMT - 301 was deactivated for the second time . From its formation in 1966 to its last flight in 2005 , HMT - 301 has flown over 144 , 000 hours , trained over 2800 aircrew , and been awarded the CNO safety award 7 times .