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The End of an Era: Last CH-46 Squadron Redesignates
10/13/2014: Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, Purple Foxes, redesignated to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 364 during a change of command and redesignation ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 9.
The unit transformed platforms from the CH-46 Sea Knight to the MV-22 Osprey.
This was the last CH-46 squadron in the Marine Corps. Lt. Col. John Field relinquished command of the squadron to Lt. Col. Paul Kopacz.
In a story by Cpl. Raquel Barraza published on October 9, 2014, the shift in eras was the focus of attention.
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 364 “Purple Foxes” held a change of command and redesignation ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 9.
During the ceremony, Lt. Col. John Field, outgoing commanding officer of HMM-364, relinquished command to Lt. Col. Paul B. Kopacz, oncoming commanding officer.
“It has been my esteemed honor and privilege for the past 19 months to lead the finest assault squadron in the Marine Corps,” said Field.
Lt. Col. Paul B. Kopacz, left, oncoming commanding officer of now Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364, unravels the new guidon VMM-364 during a change of command and redesignation ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 9. This signified the activation of a new squadron. Credit: USMC
The outgoing commanding officer had some words of encouragement for the Marines of HMM-364 after he relinquished command.
“It is not one man or one Marine that is responsible; it is a team effort and it’s that team effort that is going to carry forward as we enter the next chapter of 364 and the MV-22,” said Field.
The ceremony also signified the squadron’s transition to a Marine medium tiltrotor squadron; the CH-46E Sea Knight, also known as the “Phrog,” will be replaced by the MV-22B Osprey. HMM-364 is the last Marine medium helicopter fleet squadron to make the transition to the Osprey.
It is not the end of the great legacy of this squadron although the Purple Foxes were saying goodbye to the CH-46.
“I have no doubt the Purple Foxes will continue to excel with [the Osprey],” said Field. “The reason there is no doubt is because it’s not about a machine. It doesn’t matter if it’s a CH-46 or an Osprey, what’s important is the Marines that maintain and fly those airplanes.”
As the oncoming commanding officer unraveled the new guidon of now Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364, Marines finally bid farewell to their Phrog and began a new era.
