HISTORY
Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 302 was originally designated Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron 302 (HMMT-302), on 01 November 1966, at Marine Corps Air Facility, Santa Ana, California, and assigned to Marine Helicopter Training Group 30, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing. The squadron was tasked with training newly designated Naval Aviators and conversion pilots to fly the Boeing-Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight. Upon deactivation, the squadron had accumulated 34,850.7 flight hours without mishap.
On 31 March 1972, personnel from HMT-302 were merged with Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron 301 (HMT-301), to form the newly designated Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 301 (HMT-301), conducting pilot training in the CH-46F and CH-53A helicopters. The restructured HMT-301 was attached to Marine Aircraft Group 16. In December 1983, the squadron began training CH-53E Replacement Aircrew (RAC), and later established the Fleet Readiness Aviation Maintenance Personnel (FRAMP) department to train CH-53E enlisted mechanics and technicians.
On 20 November 1987, the squadron was reactivated and designated Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 302(HMT-302) attached to Marine Aircraft Group 16 flying both the CH-53A and CH-53E helicopters. The FRAMP accompanied the helicopters to HMT-302 and in 1991, added the CH-53A/D to their curricula. On 22 October 1993, Naval Air Maintenance Training Group Detachments (NAMTRAGRUDETS) 1028 and 1032, TME-32, and FRAMP combined and reorganized into the Fleet Replacement Enlisted Skills Training (FREST) department.
In September of 1994, the squadron became the only Navy or Marine Squadron ever to fly three models of Sikorsky H-53 aircraft as it incorporated Navy MH-53E's from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 12 (HM-12) and assumed the RAC and FREST training responsibilities for the Navy's MH-53E community. In June 1995, the squadron relinquished responsibility for the training of CH-53D aircrew and transferred four CH-53D aircraft to stand up HMT-301 in Hawaii.
Between 9 January and 23 January 1996, HMT-302 safely executed a transcontinental move to MCAS, New River, North Carolina. The transfer became effective in February 1996 when HMT-302 officially attached to MAG-29.
In March to April 1998, HMT-302 deployed to South Africa in support of Presidential Operations -- the first Fleet Replacement Squadron to deploy overseas for a real world military operation.
As of 4 March 2003, HMT-302 has surpassed 82710 Class A mishap-free flight hours in Sikorsky H-53 helicopters.
The squadron provides flight training for newly commissioned Naval Aviators, conversion pilots, refresher pilots, and enlisted aircrew in the CH-53E Super Stallion.
Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 302 unit awards consist of the Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation with one bronze star, and National Defense Streamer with one bronze star.