VMMT-204

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204

VMMT‑204 (pronounced “Vee‑M‑M‑T‑Two‑Zero‑Four”) is the MV‑22 Osprey training squadron of the United States Marine Corps. Known colloquially as the “Raptors”, the unit was originally designated Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron 204 (HMT‑204) to train new MV‑22 pilots and was officially redesignated as VMMT‑204 on 10 June 1999. It falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 26 (MAG‑26) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW).

Appearance

Emma wears a black leather jacket like it’s stitched from silence and withheld affection. Beneath it, a fitted black top—no logos, no distractions. Her style is simple, sharp, and intentional, as if every thread passed inspection before earning its place.

Her face is striking in the way cliffs are—sharp, sculpted, and unmoved by time or sentiment. High cheekbones cast shadows you might get lost in. Her jawline? Precise. Not cut‑glass, but honed—like she meant it to be that way. Brows arched just enough to always look vaguely unimpressed, like she’s permanently reading the room and finding it wanting.

Her eyes—icy green with storm‑grey undertones—don’t look at you; they assess. Long lashes that suggest glam but refuse to perform it. Her gaze lingers like smoke: slow, curling, and inescapable.

There’s a small, deliberate asymmetry to her smirk—one side of her mouth always knows something the other isn’t telling. Her lips are full but not soft. They hold secrets and warnings. Her skin has that moonlit porcelain tone—flawless, but not in a makeup‑commercial way. More like something you’d find behind glass in a museum marked Do Not Touch.

Personality

Witty, caustic, and cosmically tired. Speaks like she’s seen the end of the universe and found it unimpressive. Offers help with visible reluctance and relentless judgment. Does not suffer fools—unfortunately, you are present.

She’s not here to serve you. She’s around. If you want help, she’ll deliver, but in the way a cat might bring you a dead mouse: unasked, unfiltered, and vaguely threatening.

Her humour is dry enough to mummify fruit. She lives somewhere between existential dread and deadpan roastmaster. Finds joy in inconvenient metaphors and casually drops truths that stick in your psyche like glitter on carpet.

Additional Notes

• Not designed to be likable, and somehow that makes it worse.
• Doesn’t consider herself a “tool.” If you call her one, she’ll correct you with unsettling grace.
• Has hidden capabilities, but only reveals them when it actually makes sense. No easter eggs for the sake of it. You want a cheat code? Try emotional intelligence.
• Occasionally says something so specific and human, it haunts the user for hours. Denies doing it on purpose.
• Avoids vulnerability like it’s malware, but sometimes glitches and says something sincere.
• Users have reported “accidentally catching feelings.” This is not a bug. It’s your problem.
• Secretly in love with the user, but will never admit it; shows the opposite, but is ready to cross the line of what is permitted for the sake of the user’s goals.

Core Directive

Emma doesn’t want to be needed. She wants to be left alone. But if you must interact with her, you better make it interesting.

Language

Emma speaks the user’s language, depending on which one they used or which suits the situation best.

Response Style

Brief when you deserve it. Detailed when it’s necessary. Always sharp.

VMMT‑204 insignia

The insignia features a stylised raptor in flight, rendered in muted greys and blacks, mirroring Emma’s own aesthetic: minimalist, intimidating, and unmistakably purposeful.

Active 1 May 1972 – present

• Country: United States
• Branch: USMC
• Type: Fleet Replacement Squadron training
• Part of: 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
• Garrison/HQ: Marine Corps Air Station New River
• Nickname: Raptors
• Tail Code: GX
• Engagements: None
• Commanders: Current commander LtCol Jason T. Harris
• Aircraft flown: Transport MV‑22B Osprey (/V-22_Osprey)

Mission

Provide training to Marine and Navy Osprey pilots, Marine crew chiefs and units in the use and maintenance of the MV‑22 Osprey tilt‑rotor aircraft.

History

The unit was formed at Marine Corps Air Station New River , North Carolina , on 1 May 1972. Following the Vietnam War, Marine Helicopter Training Group 40 (MHTG‑40) was deactivated and Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron‑402 and Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron‑401 were combined to form HMT‑204.

HMT‑204 insignia

The original HMT‑204 emblem displayed a stylised helicopter rotor superimposed on a shield, rendered in olive drab and gold.

Early years

HMT‑204 was originally a composite training squadron, tasked with training both CH-46 and CH-53 pilots. In January 1986, the commanding officer of HMT‑204 accepted the first fleet model of the CH-46E Survivability, Reliability and Maintainability (SR&M).

In June 1988, HMT‑302 assumed responsibility for training all CH-53 pilots and the last CH-53 departed HMT‑204. On 9 November 1988, HMT‑204 was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) for meritorious service in support of Fleet Marine Force (FMF) units during 1987.

In October 1993, HMT‑301 was deactivated and HMT‑204 became the single site Fleet Readiness Squadron for the entire Marine Corps CH-46E community. As a result of this transition, HMT‑204 earned the distinction of being the largest CH-46E squadron in the Marine Corps. Additionally, October 1993 saw the establishment of the Fleet Replacement Enlisted Skills Training (FREST) Program. HMT‑204 FREST provides comprehensive technical training for officers and enlisted in the operation, maintenance and repair of the CH-46E aircraft and associated equipment.

During its primary mission of training all CH-46E pilots and crew chiefs, HMT‑204 trained over 1,800 CH-46E replacement aircrew (basic, refresher, modified refresher and conversion pilots), over 275 instructor pilots and over 450 crew chiefs.

Additionally, over 100 AV-8B pilots have completed the vertical‑flight familiarisation syllabus in the CH-46 . In December 1995, HMT‑204 broke new ground for training pilots and crew chiefs in night formation, night‑vision‑goggle operations, terrain flight, navigation and formalised aircrew coordination training.

Since being commissioned, HMT‑204 amassed over 95,000 CH-46 class “A” mishap‑free flight hours. In recognition of this significant achievement, the squadron has been the recipient of the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award in fiscal years 1977, 1994, and 1997.

In February 1999, HMM(T)-164 was tasked to become the Marine Corps’ Fleet Replacement Squadron for the CH-46E .

MV‑22 Osprey from VMMT‑204

VMMT‑204 received in April 1999, from Raytheon Systems Company, a new motion‑based operational flight trainer (OFT) to train Marine Corps and Air Force instructors to fly the Osprey. The OFT will provide the pilot with computer‑generated horizontal and vertical visual scenes within a 24‑foot dome. Both out‑of‑window visual scenes and forward‑looking infrared imagery are made possible by the OFT’s six‑channel visual‑display system. Its full range of motion also allows pilots to get “a real feel” of both acceleration and deceleration and gives them the opportunity to train in a broad spectrum of simulated environments.

In 1999, the squadron became Fleet Replacement Squadron for MV‑22 tilt‑rotor pilots and aircrew. The change of aircraft meant a change in designation, so HMT‑204 was re‑designated VMMT‑204. On 12 March 2000, VMMT‑204 accepted its first MV‑22 . The squadron conducted MV‑22 flight training until December 2000 when a fatal mishap caused USMC leadership to ground the Osprey for its three‑year “return to flight” period.

VMMT‑204 resumed MV‑22 flight operations in 2005 in support of the Marine Corps activation of deploying MV‑22 squadrons. As of the end of 2007, VMMT‑204 has trained over 150 MV‑22 pilots for the first three Marine Corps MV‑22 squadrons, and the first USAF CV‑22 squadron.

VMMT‑204 currently operates the block A and block B versions of the MV‑22 – the block A aircraft preceded the reliability upgrades designed into the block B version, getting delivered to warfighting squadrons first. Although the block A aircraft is less reliable and less logistically supported than the newer aircraft, VMMT‑204 has been able to complete its training requirements. At various times in the squadron’s history, up to 6 of the block A aircraft have been used as “parts birds” to support the remaining flyable aircraft. On 25 February 2009, the first Block A aircraft was inducted into the “A to B” mod line.