Parra, Charles, Sgt

In 1990, HMLA-267 split into two groups: A detachment on land in Okinawa and another attached to HMM-164. The group attached to HMM-164 boarded the USS Okinawa on a routine West Pac deployment. The USS Okinawa eventually ended up in the Persian Gulf for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, spending a total of 354 days away from their home port for this deployment.

In 1992, HMLA-267 split into two groups: A detachment on land in Okinawa and another attached to HMM-164. The group attached to HMM-164 boarded the USS Tripoli on a routine West Pac. The USS Tripoli went back to the Persian Gulf for Operation Desert Sweep. The next stop for the USS Tripoli was Mogadishu, Somalia and was part of the original insertion of Marines (primarily those from HMLA-267) and the beginning of Operation Restore Hope.

In January 2003, HMLA-267 deployed aboard Amphibious Task Force West in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Stingers relocated to Ali Al Salem Airbase, Kuwait February 2003 in preparation of Operation Iraqi Freedom. HMLA-267 supported the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) conducting combat operations throughout Iraq from 20 March 2003 until ordered to return to the United States in May 2003. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Stingers flew over 2100 combat flight hours and 1400 combat sorties in support of I MEF combat operations in just three weeks.

In June 2003, HMLA-267 participated in the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan. During this period, the Stingers conducted exercises in South Korea, Australia and the Republic of the Philippines. From August through October 2003, the Squadron detached three UH-1N aircraft, thirteen pilots and one hundred Marines to Joint Task Force 515, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This detachment was selected to provide aerial escort for the President of the United States as he toured the Republic of the Philippines, the second time this HMLA has been so honored.

In October 2003, HMLA-267 was presented the John P. Giguere Award for the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron of the Year for 2003.

In June 2004, a detachment of 4 AH-1W Cobras and 2 UH-1N Hueys attached to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 (REIN) on the 15th MEU. At the end of that year HMLA-267 became the sole provider of HMLA detachments to the 11th, 13th, 15th, and 31st Marine Expeditionary Units (MEU’s) in support of I MEF and III MEF. While other MAG 39 squadrons continued to deploy to Iraq in support of counter-insurgency operations there, the Stingers began regularly deploying from Southern California and Okinawa to the Western Pacific and East Asia.

In April 2010, the Squadron’s mission officially changed to support Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

In 2011 HMLA 267 deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

As of April 2012, HMLA-267 transitioned completely from the AH-1W to the AH-1Z Viper, ending their decades long usage of the Whiskey. HMLA-267 was the first HMLA to completely transition to the AH-1Z and the UH-1Y.

1944 - 1946 VMO-5 (Deactivated)
1966 - 1968 VMO-5 (Redesignated - HML-267)
1968 - 1987 HML-267 (Redesignated - HMLA-267)
1987 - Present HMLA-267

Best Friends
Cpl Robert Fulton
PFC Brock Shramm (KIA)
PFC Gil Oritiz

Best Moment
First west coast unit to receive OV-10's.
First NCOIC to learn an teach the packing of the parachute for the OV-10.Careful there are cutters and explosive devices inside.

Worst Moment
losing OV-10 in crash.Plane went into Colorado River doing barrel rows for sightseers. Ejected upside down into river.Seat shot into mud at river bottom. I packed the parachute.

Other Memories
Combat Action Report,VietNam War
81...OV-10's lost
USAF-64
USN-7
USMC-10...(various reasons)