Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (HMH-461) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-53K King Stallion transport helicopters. The squadron, known as "Ironhorse", is based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 29 (MAG-29) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW). With its lineage starting in 1944, HMH-461 is the oldest active Heavy Lift Helicopter Squadron in the Marine Corps. Mission Support the MAGTF Commander by providing assault support transport of heavy equipment, combat troops, and supplies, day or night under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint, or combined operations. History Early years Marine Fighting Squadron 461 (VMF-461) was commissioned on March 15, 1944, at Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California as part of Marine Base Defense Group 43. The newly formed squadron flew the Vought F4U Corsair and its callsign was "Red Raider" with a squadron insignia depicting a red bearded Viking. In January 1945, the squadron was relocated to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 46 (MAG 46), and designated as a replacement training squadron for the remainder of the war. On February 25, 1946, VMF-461 sailed on board the during her initial shakedown cruise and on March 16, 1946, the squadron departed Naval Base San Diego headed for the east coast of the United States. Arriving at Naval Station Norfolk on March 16, 1946, VMF-461 flew south to MCAS Cherry Point, NC for temporary duty with Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11). From May to August 1947 the squadron again sailed on the USS Palau, visiting Guantánamo Bay, Monrovia, Liberia, Recife, Brazil, and Dakar, French West Africa. From February to March 1948 VMF-461 took part in Fleet Exercises, this time operating from Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. The squadron again boarded the USS Palau in August 1948 for a three-week cruise to Guantánamo Bay and in November 1948 took part in arctic exercises. The squadron boarded the in January 1949 for a two-month Mediterranean cruise and took part in multiple shorter cruises between March and June 1949 on board the USS Midway and the . On July 1, 1949, VMF-461 was assigned to MAG-11 at MCAS Cherry Point. From September 1949 until January 1950, the squadron deployed on a Mediterranean cruise as part of Marine Aircraft Group 11 on board the . In September 1950, VMF-461 was decommissioned.