Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 (VMM-264) was a United States Marine Corps tiltrotor squadron consisting of MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft. The squadron, known as the "Black Knights", was based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, and normally fell under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 26 (MAG-26) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW). They were the last east coast CH-46 Sea Knight squadron to transition to the Osprey. VMM-264 was decommissioned on June 24, 2020. Mission Provide assault support of combat troops, supplies and equipment during amphibious operations. History Early years The Black Knights of HMM-264 were activated on June 30, 1959. Originally designated as Marine Medium Transportation Squadron Light 264, it was later re-designated to its present title, Marine Medium Helicopter 264, in February 1962. In the fall of 1961, the squadron was called upon to assist in the evacuation and resupply of victims of Hurricane Hattie, which hit Belize. This tasking was the first mission in a now long-standing tradition of humanitarian service. On April 28, 1965, HMM-264 conducted the Marine Corps' first night all-helicopter assault into an unsecured landing zone during combat conditions in Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic from the deck of the during Operation Power Pack. Between HMM-264 and the LSTs more than 600 civilians were evacuated from the Embajador Hotel. This event marked the first landing of U.S. Marines on Dominican soil since the early 1930s. It was also the first ship-to-shore heliborne lift over a hostile beach without supporting units ashore. Over the course of the operation, the American embassy was secured and over 1,750 American citizens were evacuated from the war-torn Dominican Republic. In May 1965, HMM-264 was the first Marine helicopter squadron to surpass 25,000 mishap free flight hours. Over the next several years, the squadron maintained its demonstrated high standard of professional excellence by logging 30,000, 40,000, and 50,000 mishap free flight hour milestones. In 1968, the squadron retired the last of its aging fleet of UH-34 helicopters, receiving in its place the Boeing-Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight aircraft. The 1970s and 1980s HMM-264 served as part of the Multinational Peacekeeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon in 1983. Amongst other contributions, the squadron rescued a number of Lebanese civilians stranded by snow in the Chauf Mountains, resulting in a number of squadron awards including the Defense Transportation Safety Award, the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation,