LSHS graduate chosen to lead Marine helicopter squadron
USMC Lt. Col. Adam Horne addresses the crowd at the change of command ceremony.
{Contributed photo/Adam Horne}
On Thursday, June 10, in a ceremony full of handshakes, salutes and speeches, United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lt. Col. Adam Horne became the commanding officer of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (HMH-461) aka Ironhorse. Based at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in Jacksonville, NC, HMH-461 is one of nine heavy helicopter squadrons in the USMC.
Horne flashed a smile for the camera on Thursday.
{Contributed phot/Lisa Horne}
Horne, a 2000 graduate of Lexington Senior High School, has been stationed at MCAS New River since 2018. Before his promotion, he previously served as an operations and executive officer and a fleet replacement squadron instructor.
With his new assignment, Horne will be tasked with leading a group of Marines who collectively uphold the squadron’s mission “to provide timely and effective CH-53E helicopter combat assault transport of heavy equipment, personnel and supplies, on order to support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force and other units, as directed.” Their motto is “Mission first, people always.”
A former college football player at the United States Naval Academy, Horne (who earned a scholarship to the service academy) obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in ocean engineering in 2005. Upon graduation, he entered the Marines and selected aviation as his field of choice. Horne served three tours of duty.
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Prior to his arrival in Jacksonville, Horne was a member of Marine Helicopter Squadron One known as HMX-1. This unique squadron is responsible for piloting Marine One, the helicopter which transports the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States and other dignitaries. The Lexington native served as pilot and co-pilot for three years under President Barack Obama and for more than a year under President Donald Trump.
{Contributed photo/Lisa Horne}
Thursday’s change of command brought in attendees from various cities, states and professions. Included in the crowd were Horne’s wife, Leigh Anne, and their children, Gunner and Riley along with his parents, Lisa and John, and brothers, Michael and Alex (a USMC major who is also a pilot). Lisa, a retired Lexington City Schools (LCS) administrator, and John, a former Lexington City Councilman, continue to beam with pride over their son’s latest accomplishment.
“Adam is a humble man who has worked very hard and truly believes in service,” said Lisa. “We’re very proud of him. LCS, First Presbyterian Church, the citizens of Lexington made him the man he has become. He’ll always consider Lexington his home.”
Despite his career in a high-ranking position, Horne prefers to remain lowkey. However, it’s the last sentence of his mother’s words to Davidson Local that sum up why this article was published. When told of Davidson Local’s plans to shine the spotlight on him, his response confirmed what his mother stated.
“If it’ll inspire a kid from Lexington, sure.”
To learn more about HMH-461, visit their web page or Facebook page.
