Officially Licensed USMC VMFA(AW)-533 Hawks Squadron Patches First Marine Air Wing Flying smart is the foundation

Flying smart is the foundation of flying lethal

CH-53 — the Marine Corps' heavy-lift helicopter that moves everything the Corps needs to fight

The Blackbeard reference ties into the Carolina coastal pirate heritage — Edward Teach (Blackbeard) terrorized the waters near HMH-464's home base

VP-69 could be activated to augment the active-duty maritime patrol force during times of increased tension or conflict

The squadron's "Ugly Angels" nickname became one of the most recognizable callsigns in Marine aviation — a badge of honor worn by the crews who flew the heaviest missions into the most demanding environments

Officially Licensed USMC VMFA(AW)-533 Hawks Squadron Patches First Marine Air Wing Flying smart is the foundationOfficially Licensed USMC VMFA(AW) 533 Hawks Squadron Patches All Weather, All Business When the weather goes to hell, the Hawks go to work. VMFA(AW) 533 "Hawks" was a Marine Corps All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron that flew the F A 18D Hornet out of MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, under the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The Hawks specialized in night and all weather deep air support, armed reconnaissance, and close air support missions flying the two