{ { Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267
| image = HMLA267 LogoCurrent.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| caption = HMLA-267 Insignia
| dates = February 15, 1944 - January 31, 1946
December 15, 1966 - present
| country = United States
| allegiance = United States of America
| branch = United States Marine Corps
| type = Light/Attack squadron
| role = Close Air Support
| size =
| command_structure = Marine Aircraft Group 393rd Marine Aircraft Wing
| current_commander = LtCol Dana R. Howe
| garrison = Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton
| ceremonial_chief =
| colonel_of_the_regiment =
| nickname = Stingers
| patron =
| motto = "Anytime Anywhere" | colors = UV | colors_label = Tail Code | march = | mascot = | battles = World War II* Battle of Iwo JimaVietnam WarOperation Restore HopeOperation Iraqi Freedom* 2003 invasion of Iraq*Operation Enduring Freedom | anniversaries = }}Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 (HMLA-267') is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and Bell UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. Nicknamed the "Stingers", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).
Mission
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267 supports the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Commander by providing offensive air support, utility support, armed escort, and airborne supporting arms coordination; day or night; under all weather conditions; during expeditionary, joint, or combined operations. This has included detachments to Marine Amphibious Units (MAUs) and Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs).
History
Origins and World War II service
The squadron was commissioned on February 15, 1944 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia as Marine Observation Squadron 5 (VMO-5), the “Black Aces.” The operational aircraft at the time was the OY-1 Sentinel. VMO-5's primary tasks were providing aerial fire support spotting and observation in support of ground forces. Following several months of training at MCB Camp Pendleton, California and Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii, the squadron deployed with the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing (3d MAW) to the Pacific Theater. The squadron split into two echelons, staging at Saipan and Guam in preparation for the Iwo Jima Campaign. On February 26, 1945, the first VMO-5 OY-1 Sentinels took off from the and landed on South Field during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Beginning the next day squadron aircraft began spotting for the artillery of the 13th Marine Regiment. After Iwo Jima, the squadron redeployed to Hilo, Hawaii and was attached to Marine Observation Group 1, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing (2d MAW). Following victory in World War II, VMO-5 deployed to Sasebo, Japan for occupation duty from September 1945 to January 1946. Upon completion of this tour, VMO-5 returned to San Diego and was decommissioned on January 31, 1946.
Vietnam
As Marine Corps participation in the Vietnam War continued to increase, the subunit of Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 30 (H&MS-30) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton was re-designated as VMO-5 on December 15, 1966 becoming a full-fledged training squadron. The squadron originally fell under the command of Marine Helicopter Training Group 30 (MHTG-30), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and was equipped with a complement of UH-1E Hueys and OV-10 Broncos. In March 1968, the squadron was re-designated HML-267 and remained on alert status while training replacement pilots and crew for the rest of the war. In 1971, reorganization left the squadron with only UH-1E helicopters, and by the end of 1976 only UH-1N aircraft were flown.
