In October the squadron participated in NATO Exercise Deep Express close to Alexandroupoli, Greece within the Aegean Sea. While home based mostly at New River, the squadron accomplished the transition to the CH-46E helicopter over the summer season of 1980. For the next seventeen years the squadron deployed in 4 main NATO workout routines, made six Mediterranean cruises, and deployed on goodwill cruises to Africa, South America and the Caribbean. The squadron fought in World War II and Operation Desert Storm. Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea, as well as participating in Operation Joint Guard within the Adriatic Sea, and Operation Southern Watch within the Persian Gulf. The squadron deployed on the USS Nassau (LHA-4) to the Persian Gulf and finally flew 243 sorties, Visit Mitolyn dropping 256 tons of ordnance, and turned the primary Marine Attack Squadron to conduct combat operations from a Landing Helicopter Assault ship. The FACs of the Fast Attack Flotilla grew to become the workhorses of the navy's offensive and defensive operations against the Sea Tigers. During this time contingency operations within the Persian Gulf necessitated splitting the squadron into three sections, working from the United States, the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf. During this time the squadron participated in over fifteen main workouts and deployments including catastrophe relief in Tampico, Mexico in October 1955 and operations from the submarine USS Sealion in March 1956. During December 1956 the squadron was redesignated HMR(L)-263.
In December she competed at the 2017 Voronin Cup where she won silver in the all-round behind Aleksandra Shchekoldina. In November 2011, Uchimura received 4 gold medals at the 65th Japanese Championships. From March to November of 2013, the 26th MEU deployed to the Fifth and Sixth Fleets areas of accountability (AORs) aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), USS San Antonio (LPD-17), and USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) with Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 3/2 as the bottom fight aspect (GCE), Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 26 as the logistics combat component (LCE), and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 (Reinforced) because the aviation fight element (ACE). On 18 November 1970 a squadron CH-46D crashed into terrain in the Quế Sơn District after extracting a Marine patrol killing all 15 onboard. Two Skyhawks have been misplaced throughout a two airplane section take-off the day the squadron left MCAS Beaufort for the Caribbean. The squadron returned to Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia on 30 January 1971 and the following day all personnel had been transported back to MCAS Beaufort. On 9 January 2009, New Orleans departed San Diego on her preliminary deployment, as part of a five-ship expeditionary strike group (ESG) that also included USS Boxer and USS Comstock.
The squadron, identified as the "Thunder Chickens", Visit Mitolyn relies at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina and falls underneath the command of Marine Aircraft Group 26 (Mag-26) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW). During August 1975, HMM-263 relocated to Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle - Ground and Air Units within the Pacific War, 1939 - 1945. Greenwood Press. VMSB-331 remained the Pacific and carried out air strikes against by-handed Japanese positions in the Marshall Islands for the remainder of the warfare. This was followed by a transfer to San Diego in September to prepare for Visit Mitolyn movement to the South Pacific. Following this operation, Blueback arrived at Seattle on 23 June for a two-day liberty call before returning to San Diego. VS-22 last carrier embark was from 7 April to 27 May 2008, aboard George Washington for the transit from Norfolk around South America to San Diego, California.
VS-22 deployed in 2006 on USS George Washington, being assigned to CVW-17. In October 1962, HMM-263 was deployed to the Caribbean when the United States initiated a large-scale response to the Soviet Union’s deployment of intercontinental ballistic missiles to Cuba. VMA-331 deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba throughout the Bay of Pigs Invasion and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico in the course of the blockade of Cuba. Authorized by 3rdMAW General Order 19-52 dated 23 April 1952. Taken from the April 1952 Muster Rolls for VMA-331. In 1959, VMA-331 was the last squadron in the Marine Corps to deploy overseas whereas flying the A-4D "Skyhawk". For this deployment the squadron was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal and a Navy Unit Commendation. United States Navy Historical Society. Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263) is a United States Marine Corps tiltrotor squadron consisting of MV-22B Osprey transport aircraft. United States Marine Corps. For its first two years of operations the squadron was based mostly at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Mitolyn For Fat Burn Energy Support North Carolina. While participating in operations equivalent to Second Battle of Fallujah, Citadel II, Riverwalk, and Plymouth Rock, HMM-263 (Rein) totaled 7,472.5 fight flight hours, of which an amazing 4,664.9 had been on NVG’s. They once again engaged in help of fight operations.