Helicopter units to be activated in October at Cherry Point

Two new temporary Marine helicopter squadrons are scheduled to be activated in October at Cherry Point, bringing more than 600 additional Marines to the air station.

Eventually, the two squadrons will be permanently based at New River in Jacksonville, but will be at Cherry Point through at least 2012 as work on facilities in New River continues.

Currently, only one helicopter squadron operates out of Cherry Point, the HH-46 Sea Knights of Marine Transport Squadron 1, known for its Pedro rescue helicopters.

Core personnel for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467 and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 have already been training at Cherry Point.

HMLA-467 will have 18 AH-1W Cobras and nine UH-1N Hueys along with 320 Marine pilots, aircrew and support personnel.

At this time, the HMLA-467 has 90 officers and enlisted personnel who are training to become the core of the unit.

HMLA-467 will be at Cherry Point for about five years before moving to New River.

According to Mike Barton, deputy chief of public affairs for Cherry Point, HMLA-467 had a two-week training mission with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775 Detachment A, of Johnston, Pa., of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.

The reserve unit spent two weeks this summer at Cherry Point to help train HMLA-467 core personnel.

Training included airfield operations, combat missions, orientation flights and weapons delivery. The unit must be certified in all areas before it can be activated, Barton said.

The second squadron, HMH-366, will be flying CH-53E Super Stallions, considered the heavy haulers of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

The CH-53E is the largest and heaviest helicopter in the U.S. military. It can carry up to 55 Marines and has a maximum lift capability of 32,000 pounds, or 16 tons.

There will be eight helicopters at activation, eventually building to 16 within the first year. A core group of 95 Marines is currently training at New River.

At activation, there will be 130 Marines in the squadron, which will grow to more 300 Marines in the next year.

HMH-366 is scheduled to move to New River no earlier than 2012.