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    New River hosts HMM-262 Combat Helicopter Association reunion

    New River host HMM-262 Combat Helicopter Association reunion

    Photo By Cpl. Dominique Osthoff | Members of the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 Combat Helicopter Association...... read more read more

    NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

    09.08.2017

    Story by Pfc. Dominique Osthoff 

    Marine Corps Installations East       

    Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 Combat Helicopter Association celebrated its 21st annual reunion aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River on Sept. 8.

    The reunion began at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Sept. 7 to give participants the opportunity to mingle and rekindle friendships.

    “There, we have what we call the Tigers’ Den where everyone gets together, have a few drinks, and talk,” said Joseph Jacobs, retired Marine and commanding officer for HMM-262 Combat Helicopter Association. “We were called ‘The Flying Tigers’ in Vietnam, so now we call ourselves ‘The Old Tigers’.”

    According to David Althoff, a retired Marine and event participant, even as time goes on the bonds formed while they served together remain strong.

    “Some guys come to one, some guys come to another, but we see most of them,” said Althoff. “We were very, very close.”

    The next day, the group of veterans headed to MCAS New River where they visited the Aviation Memorial, observed aircraft on the flight line and ate lunch at the chow hall.

    The chow hall was their top choice of dining location “because some of these guys haven’t been to a mess hall in 50 years,” said Jacobs.

    The HMM-262 Combat Helicopter Association has a reunion every year. The veterans get together for three to four days to enjoy camaraderie and reminisce the good ol’ times as well as tour installations. The reunion concluded Saturday at MCAS Cherry Point with their annual banquet featuring guest speaker retired Maj. Gen. Thomas Braaten.

    “We’re going to keep doing it,” said Jacobs. “We’ve done it for 21 reunions in a row.”

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.08.2017
    Date Posted: 09.20.2017 11:26
    Story ID: 248954
    Location: NORTH CAROLINA, US

    Web Views: 490
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN