Marine Corps News Room

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Aug. 22, 2006; Submitted on: 08/22/2006 11:30:06 AM ; Story ID#: 200682211306

By Pfc. Rebekka S. Kramp, MCAS New River

Major Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr. (Front row, left) kneels beside the most junior enlisted Marine as Marines from HMM-266 pose with the safety placard the general presented them moments before. Photo by: Pfc. Rebekka S. Kramp

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. (Aug. 22, 2006) -- Marines from two New River squadrons were recently awarded the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for 2005.

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264 and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 received the CNO Safety Award Aug. 8 in recognition of the squadrons’ outstanding contributions to fleet readiness, commitment to professionalism and competent risk management that lead to safe and effective operations and the economic use of resources, said Lt. Col. Michael G. McCoy, HMM-264 commanding officer.

“Most importantly, this award recognizes the all-hands commitment to the principles of aviation safety, our proactive commitment to the principles of operational risk management, superior leadership at all levels and superb airmanship,” he added.

By earning this award these squadrons have proven that every Marine in their squadron, from the most junior enlisted to the commanding officer, is committed to safety, said Maj. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., 2d Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general.

“It takes constant attention to detail and awareness by all hands for a unit to accomplish its mission and to operate in the safest manner possible,” said Col. David J. Mollahan, Marine Aircraft Group 26’s commanding officer. “So this award is a remarkable achievement for the entire squadron, given that a good portion of the period that this award covers was while the squadron was deployed in a combat zone where they were required to sustain continuous operations at an extremely high tempo in a particularly challenging operating environment.”

Glueck first presented the award to MAG-26 for HMM-266, which recently stood down to become an “Osprey” squadron, where he reminded those who were able to attend that what they did yesterday doesn’t make them great, it’s what they do today.

Later that day Glueck presented HMM-264 their award.

“Great job,” said Glueck when he present HMM-264 the award.

The "Fighting Griffins" of HMM-266 had 5,353.5 class-A mishap-free flight hours including their deployment. The HMM-266 team amassed 2,487.1 flight hours during the day and 2,866.4 at night, carried 13,701 combat troops or passengers and lifted 677,885 pounds of cargo and equipment in 2005.

The HMM-264 “Black Knights” succeeded in obtaining a total of 5095.5 class-A mishap-free flight hours by the end of 2005. Not only did HMM-264 fly a total of 5095.5 hours, they lifted 1,035,459 pounds and transported 16,346 passengers.

The goal for the “Black Knights” and the entire 2d MAW is to be ready to deploy and 100 percent combat ready by the end of this year, said Glueck.

These awards prove that from the most junior Marine to all the commanding officers, they will be ready.

For MORE photos, credits, and descriptions, please click on the picture.