HMM-262 Combat Helicopter Associatiion

  "TIGER TALES"

THE OLD TIGERS

January 2010

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RTB / RIP 

Sadly, we have learned that three of our Old Tigers brothers have gone before us (Return To Base) to to stand guard at the Pearly Gates of Heaven: 

• Ray E. Nasser ("LA Ray") - Crew Chief - RVN Tour '68-'69

  • RTB December 1, 2008

• Harold W. Jones ("Jonesy") - Crew Chief - RVN Tour '70-'71

  • RTB November 22, 2009

• Capt. Joseph D. Vandermark - Avionics Officer - RVN Tour '66-'67

  • RTB January 13, 2009

FLASH:  Just as were were editing this edition of our new Tiger Tales, we received an email from LtCol. John "Vegas" Mee, CO HMM-262, informing us of the passing of Capt. Vandermark.  Many of us from the "First Tour" certainly remember Lt. Vandermark as one of the "professional, nice guys".  The Grand-daughter of Capt. Vandermark is married to the squadron's present Flight Surgeon, Lt. D. DeCecchis, MD (USN).

"With pain in our hearts, 

And a tear in the eye;

We are proud to have served with these men, 

 Semper Fi "

POPASMOKE REUNION 2010

 RENO, NEVADA

We are looking forward to our HMM-262 Mini-Squadron Reunion 2010 in Reno, Nevada this year, in conjunction with the POPASMOKE Biennial Reunion.  So make your plans to join us in Reno, July 7-11.  More info will be updated in the next Newsletters.

If you have not yet joined "Popasmoke", please visit their website (www.popasmoke.com) and seriously consider joining that fine organization.

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From:  "HMM-262 Actual" 

              December 2009 

Greetings Flying Tiger Families and Friends,

   Your squadron has had a busy couple of months since coming off of the 31^st Marine Expeditionary Unit in August.  We immediately had to transfer the detachment aircraft and associated tools to HMM-265, and, as always, the maintenance department did a fantastic job.  We have also had to say farewell to a number of our squadron mates but were able to welcome a new group of Marines to Okinawa and to the World Famous Flying Tigers.

   September thru November saw the squadron fixing and flying aircraft at a cyclic rate.  In September we participated in exercise Ryuku Warrior here on Okinawa, supporting both the 3^rd Marine Logistics Group as well as the 3^rd Marine Division.  We flew sorties both day and night providing our brothers in arms the very best in assault support aviation.

   In October we were supposed to participate in Exercise TALON VISION in the Republic of the Philippines but were unable to due to the unavailability of shipping to get us there.  We were very disappointed not to deploy, as the exercise turned into a Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HA/DR) mission after the Philippines had been hit by several very damaging Typhoons.  While November was a short month, we still managed to out fly our flight hour projections and get some well-earned rest during two long weekends. We are into December now and the entire squadron is looking forward to the Squadron Christmas party on 12 December.  Some of us will be traveling home to spend the holidays with our families and friends while others will be staying here in Okinawa.  On behalf of the entire Flying Tiger squadron, please accept my very best wishes for you and your family this holiday season and, Merry Christmas.   

Semper Fidelis,

LtCol John "Vegas" Mee

                      TIGER TALES

                     DECMBER 2009

                     (Winter 2009 Issue)

     From:  The Old Tigers

     To:      HMM-262 - The Flying Tigers

     RE:      Happy Birthday

Birthday greetings go out to all Flying Tigers, past and present.  This year our Old Tigers celebrated our 234th Birthday in many different locations around the globe.  For example:

Two of our Old Tiger pilots with HMX-1 caught The Duty to "RON" at Camp David, while in the service of our Commander in Chief.  So they gathered up all the Marines and former Marines they could find and proceeded to adapt and overcome, celebrating the best they could.  

Though the only pilot in the house, one Old Tiger celebrated with 5th ANGLICO, cutting the cake with an entrenching tool.

Another with over 1,000 Marines in attendance in Virginia.

One Old Tiger, a former General Officer, attended 5 MC Balls this year! 

There were many others in Okinawa, Afghanistan, Iraq, all over the States and cities around the world.

My wife and I attended the Marine Corps Ball with the Marine Security Guard Detachment from the US Embassy in Lima, Peru 

"In every climb and place", we Marines celebrated our 234th Birthday, once more giving credence to our Esprit d'Corps and all of our mottos, especially: 

"Once a Marine Always a Marine!"

HAPPY 234th BIRTHDAY !!

Semper Fi, Marines.

Joseph Jacobs

Commanding Officer
HMM-262 Combat Helicopter Association