Official HMLA-269 Gunrunners Flightline Qual Shoulder Patch

Official HMLA-269 Gunrunners Flightline Qualification shoulder patch.

Gunrunners — first Marine attack helicopter squadron, reactivated July 2024.

Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 (HMLA-269), the "Gunrunners," is a U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina under Marine Aircraft Group 29 (MAG-29) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The squadron was originally formed as Marine Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMA) 269 at MCAS New River on February 22, 1971 and activated on July 1, 1971 as the Marine Corps' first designated attack helicopter squadron, equipped with the AH-1J "Sea Cobra." In the early 1980s, with the addition of the UH-1N, HMA-269 became HMLA-269 and expanded its mission to include utility helicopter support. The Gunrunners deployed to Southwest Asia in 1990 for Operation Desert Shield/Storm; supported the 26th MEU after September 11, 2001 in Operation Enduring Freedom from Forward Operating Bases Rhino and Kandahar; supported Operation Iraqi Freedom from January 2003 with six total Iraq deployments; and earned Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron of the Year honors in 2010 and 2013. HMLA-269 was deactivated on December 9, 2022 under Force Design 2030, but analysis identified a need for an additional East Coast HMLA squadron to provide sustained operational support to II MEF — and the squadron was reactivated on July 1, 2024 at MCAS New River. The Flightline Qual patch is for the Marines who sign the bird up. East Coast Gunrunners are back.

Perfect For: HMLA-269 Gunrunners active-duty and veteran personnel, AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom pilots, crew chiefs, and maintainers, AH-1J Sea Cobra and UH-1N heritage operators, Flightline Qualified maintenance Marines, MCAS New River and MAG-29 personnel, II MEF rotary community members, and Marine light attack reactivation collectors.

HMLA-269 Gunrunners — first Marine attack helo squadron, back in service.