HMM-261 flies the CH-46E out of MCAS New River, NC under MAG-26. They support the ground combat forces of the 2d Marine Division at Camp LeJeune, NC. These patches where the “det patches” for the CH-53 (“Shitters”) aircrew and maintainers assigned to HMM-261 in late 2001-to mid 2002. At this time the squadron was a composite squadron for a deployment. The CH-53 detachment was comprised of personnel from 2 different HMH squadrons (HMH-461 & HMH-464). When this patches where designed a small difference was added to each to recognize each persons “Mother” squadron. Those from HMH-461 got the “CJ” patch (CJ being HMH-461’s tail MODEX) and those from HMH-464 received the “EN” patch (EN being HMH-464’s tail MODEX).
