Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (HMH-461) Brings the King Stallion to the Force

Posted on | by Robbin Laird
07/18/2025

By Robbin Laird

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (HMH-461) at MCAS New River, North Carolina plays the foundational role in introducing the CH-53K King Stallion into Marine Corps operational service.

Their operational expertise directly informs the ongoing transition of additional Marine Corps squadrons to the King Stallion.

Here is a chronological outline of their key activities since the CH-53K achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in April 2022.

  1. Transition to CH-53K and Initial Flights (January–April 2022)

January 2022: HMH-461 officially redesignated as the first operational fleet squadron for the CH-53K, transitioning from the CH-53E Super Stallion at a ceremony at MCAS New River.

April 13, 2022: HMH-461 conducts its first operational squadron flight with the CH-53K at New River, marking the beginning of routine operations and establishing IOC.

  1. Training & Exercise Expansion (Spring–Summer 2022)

April–August 2022: The squadron began sustained training flights and intensive crew/maintenance proficiency development out of New River.

August 2–24, 2022: HMH-461 deployed three CH-53K helicopters for their first major Marine exercise outside North Carolina, at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. This exercise focused on high-altitude, hot-weather operations, external lifts of Light Armored Vehicles (LAVs), and demonstrated the helicopter’s substantial lift capability and performance in diverse conditions.

  1. Operational Testing and Capability Demonstrations (2022–2023)

Following its Idaho deployment, the squadron further supported test and evaluation events, proving the King Stallion’s operational range, heavy-lift capabilities, and advanced flight control systems.

HMH-461 continued refining pilot and crew skills, supporting regular mission training, equipment transport exercises, and integrating with broader Marine Corps aviation planning.

  1. Continued Training and Fleet Integration (2023–2025)

April 2023: CH-53K crews from HMH-461 participated in training at the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range near El Centro, California, further testing heavy lift and desert operations.

2024–2025: The squadron has increasingly participated in joint support operations, helicopter support team training at areas like Camp Lejeune and MAWTS-1, and maintenance/operational lessons supporting the CH-53K’s wider fleet transition, with ongoing advanced training characterized as “critical for long-term support” of the platform.

The engagement in WTIs at MAWTS-1 is especially significant as this new core USMC asset becomes integrated into the evolving approach of the “fight tonight” force.

The slide show below shows its recent engagement at sea with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) which are seen in July 2025 underway executing Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), which tests the amphibious ready group’s ability to deliver combat power wherever the nation’s leadership requires, and is informed by U.S. Navy Fleet Commander requirements and assessment of ongoing operations around the globe.

More to come for sure.

Here is an AI generated image which gets it almost right, but the wrong logo for the squadron!

The Coming of the CH-53K : A New Capability for the Distributed Force

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 10, 2025) Sailors and Marines onboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) await launch and recovery operations on the flight deck. The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) are underway executing Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), which tests the amphibious ready group’s ability to deliver combat power wherever the nation’s leadership requires, and is informed by U.S. Navy Fleet Commander requirements and assessment of ongoing operations around the globe. COMPTUEX is the Department of the Navy’s commitment to deliver highly capable, integrated naval forces to promote our nation’s prosperity and security, deter aggression and provide tailorable options to our nation’s leaders. COMPTUEX also allows the Navy to assess all aspects of prior readiness generation activities, which provides leaders information needed for process and resource allocation decisions for future warfighting development. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Savannah L. Hardesty)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 10, 2025) Marine Corps Sgt. Austin Dison, from Anchorage, Alaska, exits a CH-53 Super Stallion, assigned to the “Thunder Chickens” of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263, to supervise the chock and chain crew during flight operations. The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) are underway executing Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), which tests the amphibious ready group’s ability to deliver combat power wherever the nation’s leadership requires, and is informed by U.S. Navy Fleet Commander requirements and assessment of ongoing operations around the globe. COMPTUEX is the Department of the Navy’s commitment to deliver highly capable, integrated naval forces to promote our nation’s prosperity and security, deter aggression and provide tailorable options to our nation’s leaders. COMPTUEX also allows the Navy to assess all aspects of prior readiness generation activities, which provides leaders information needed for process and resource allocation decisions for future warfighting development. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Savannah L. Hardesty)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 10, 2025) Marines exit a CH-53 Super Stallion, assigned to the “Thunder Chickens” of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263, embark the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7). The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) are underway executing Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), which tests the amphibious ready group’s ability to deliver combat power wherever the nation’s leadership requires, and is informed by U.S. Navy Fleet Commander requirements and assessment of ongoing operations around the globe. COMPTUEX is the Department of the Navy’s commitment to deliver highly capable, integrated naval forces to promote our nation’s prosperity and security, deter aggression and provide tailorable options to our nation’s leaders. COMPTUEX also allows the Navy to assess all aspects of prior readiness generation activities, which provides leaders information needed for process and resource allocation decisions for future warfighting development. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Savannah L. Hardesty)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 10, 2025) Airman Jacob Nunez (left), from San Antonio, Texas, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Kaizer Garcia, from Manila, Philippines, fuel an MH-60S Seahawk assigned to the “Chargers” of Helicopter Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, during flight operations. The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) are underway executing Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), which tests the amphibious ready group’s ability to deliver combat power wherever the nation’s leadership requires, and is informed by U.S. Navy Fleet Commander requirements and assessment of ongoing operations around the globe. COMPTUEX is the Department of the Navy’s commitment to deliver highly capable, integrated naval forces to promote our nation’s prosperity and security, deter aggression and provide tailorable options to our nation’s leaders. COMPTUEX also allows the Navy to assess all aspects of prior readiness generation activities, which provides leaders information needed for process and resource allocation decisions for future warfighting development. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Savannah L. Hardesty)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 10, 2025) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Alex Jakowlew, from Jacksonville, Florida, assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) supervises flight deck operations following the recovery of a CH-53K King Stallion, assigned to the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461. The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) are underway executing Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), which tests the amphibious ready group’s ability to deliver combat power wherever the nation’s leadership requires, and is informed by U.S. Navy Fleet Commander requirements and assessment of ongoing operations around the globe. COMPTUEX is the Department of the Navy’s commitment to deliver highly capable, integrated naval forces to promote our nation’s prosperity and security, deter aggression and provide tailorable options to our nation’s leaders. COMPTUEX also allows the Navy to assess all aspects of prior readiness generation activities, which provides leaders information needed for process and resource allocation decisions for future warfighting development. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Savannah L. Hardesty)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 10, 2025) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Alex Jakowlew, from Jacksonville, Florida, assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) directs a CH-53K King Stallion, assigned to the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH 461), to land during flight operations during COMPTUEX. The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 22nd MEU are underway executing Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), which tests the amphibious ready group’s ability to deliver combat power wherever the nation’s leadership requires, and is informed by U.S. Navy Fleet Commander requirements and assessment of ongoing operations around the globe. COMPTUEX is the Department of the Navy’s commitment to deliver highly capable, integrated naval forces to promote our nation’s prosperity and security, deter aggression and provide tailorable options to our nation’s leaders. COMPTUEX also allows the Navy to assess all aspects of prior readiness generation activities, which provides leaders information needed for process and resource allocation decisions for future warfighting development. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Savannah L. Hardesty)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 10, 2025) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Alex Jakowlew, from Jacksonville, Florida, assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) directs a CH-53K King Stallion, assigned to the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, for a landing on the flight deck . The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) are underway executing Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), which tests the amphibious ready group’s ability to deliver combat power wherever the nation’s leadership requires, and is informed by U.S. Navy Fleet Commander requirements and assessment of ongoing operations around the globe. COMPTUEX is the Department of the Navy’s commitment to deliver highly capable, integrated naval forces to promote our nation’s prosperity and security, deter aggression and provide tailorable options to our nation’s leaders. COMPTUEX also allows the Navy to assess all aspects of prior readiness generation activities, which provides leaders information needed for process and resource allocation decisions for future warfighting development. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Savannah L. Hardesty)