the Horn of Africa, would be the lead active duty heavy lift detachment to send regular rotations to Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras as part of SPMAGTF-SC. The rotation would return in May 2018 to support volcano disaster relief and VIP visits including the Vice President of the United States. In May 2019, HMH-461 detached 4 CH-53E's and 50 Marines to attach to VMM-365 (REIN). They comprised the heavy lift detachment of the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) for the 26th MEU. During the workups for the 26th MEU, Hurricane Dorian ravaged the Bahamas. The 26th MEU executed Foreign Disaster Relief (FDR) operations and provided aid to the Bahamas. The 26th MEU deployed December 2019 and operated in the 5th Fleet Area of Operations (AOR) until returning in July 2020. During the deployment, the HMH detachment operated in various Middle-Eastern countries in support of the 26th MEU operations in order to increase foreign relationships in the AOR. The HMH detachment was responsible for Expeditionary Airbase Operations (EABO) and Forward Arming and Refueling Points (FARP) operations to support the MAGTF commander. The squadron would again send a detachment of 4 CH-53E's to VMM-263 in August 2020, to support the ACE for the 22nd MEU. In January 2022, HMH-461 became the first operational unit in the Marine Corps to replace its CH-53E Super Stallion with the upgraded CH-53K King Stallion. Gallery HMH-461 Squadron Commanders Unit awards A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation. HMH-461 has been presented with the following awards: See also United States Marine Corps Aviation List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons Citations Notes References Bibliography Web External links HMH-461's official website H461