HMLA - 469 Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 ( HMLA - 469 ) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH - 1W Cobra attack helicopters and UH - 1Y Venom utility helicopters . The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton , California and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 39 ( MAG - 39 ) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing ( 3rd MAW ) . The squadron was activated on June 30 , 2009 . The stand - up of HMLA - 469 is part of the Commandant ’ s plan to “ grow the force ” to better meet the demands of the War on Terror and the complexities of an evolving global threat . Mission . Provide offensive air support , utility support , armed escort and airborne supporting arms coordination during naval expeditionary operations or joint and combined operations . History . True to the necessity for the creation of the squadron , the unit ' s insignia and call sign are inspired by a 29 September 2001 quotation from President George W . Bush summing up the nation ' s sentiments in the wake of the September 11 , 2001 attacks : " Tonight , we are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom . Our grief has turned to anger and anger to resolution . Whether we bring our enemies to justice or justice to our enemies , justice will be done . " In the spirit of these words , the HMLA - 469 callsign is “ Vengeance , ” which is defined as “ punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense ; retribution with great force or vehemence . ” The Squadron patch is Scarlet and Black with a winged warrior holding a sword and shield . The warrior signifies the Marine Corps as an institution , dedicated to the defense of freedom and the protection of those unable to defend themselves in the face of tyranny . His wings represent the unit ’ s identity as a Light Attack Helicopter Squadron . The sword signifies that the squadron is an instrument of destruction for the enemies of the United States and the shield with its scales of justice indicates the squadron ' s readiness to repulse attack and deliver a measured , just , and victorious response . Each helicopter in the squadron has the tailcode SE , for September Eleventh , inscribed on the tail boom to pay tribute to those who lost their lives that day . On October 29 , 2009 a US Coast Guard HC - 130 aircraft with seven crewmembers collided with an HMLA - 469 AH - 1 Cobra helicopter with two crewmembers 15 miles east of San Clemente Island . Both aircraft crashed into the ocean and all nine crewmembers in both aircraft were killed . The C - 130 was searching for a missing boater while the USMC aircraft was heading towards a military training area in company with another Cobra and two CH - 53E Super Stallion s from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar . On 22 February 2012 , HMLA - 469 suffered another tragic loss . Vengeance 97 , crewed by Major Nathan Anderson , Captain Michael Quin , Sergeant Justin Everett , Lance Corporals Corey Little and Nickoulas Elliott and Vengeance 98 , crewed by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Budrejko and Captain Benjamin Cerniglia experienced a midair collision over the Chocolate Mountains of Arizona resulting in the death of all seven Marines . Their loss was a tremendous blow to every member of the Vengeance family . As the squadron paused to mourn the loss of its brothers , Vengeance kept an ever present posture of preparing for combat , just as the fallen had . On 26 November 2012 , Vengeance returned to Camp Pendleton and resumed training . On 13 December 2012 , Lieutenant Colonel Stephen J . Lightfoot was relieved by Lieutenant Colonel Richard D . Joyce .