VMX-22 stood up in addition to VMMT-204. 204 is still there and will start training shortly if they haven't already. The first HMM to transition to VMM has already stood down to start the process.
Most of the squadron designation stuff has been aswered but I'll expend a few saved rounds. As stated the HMMs transitioning to the V-22 will be VMMs and keep the same number so it stands to reason the HML/As might eventually become VML/As if they operated light (Huey) and attack (AH) - you could do a wide body version too for the light. Or you could just go VMA. Before we combined UHs and AHs in the same squadron we had HMLs and HMAs. Interestingly they were combined because the AH-1J and UH-1N used the same drivetrain and the Marine Corps could cut the number of mechanics in half. Since that time the airframes have grown apart. The AH-1W has very little in common with the UH-1N but we staff the squadrons like they did.
West Coast and reserve squadrons use HMLA whereas the East Coast squadrons use HML/A. East Coast uses the slash to emphasize that we are talking about two different missions (light and attack) and not a reduced attack capability (light attack).
For the numbering system, the 1st number is the Marine airwing where the squadron first stood up, the 2d number is the 2d digit of the Marine Aircraft Group where the squadron first stood up, and the third digit is for the number of the squadron in that group. HML/A-167 was commissioned as HML-167 in Vietnam (1st MAW), MAG-16, as the 7th squadron in MAG 16. HMM-161 was orginally the 1st squadron in 1st MAW, MAG-16. As squadrons, groups and even wings moved locations the numbers don't match up anymore. For example, MAG-39 is now 3rd MAW vice 1st MAW. So there has never been a 39X but there could be now. This system applies to most helicopter squadrons the noted exception being some of the HMH squadrons (461, 466, etc) - some of them trace their lineage back to WWII era fixed wing squadrons.
As far as what to use, that's tough - If you chose to commission a new squadron and if you went with the above you would have to use 26X, 29,X, or 39X since all of the active HMLAs are in 2d MAW MAG-26 and 29 or 3d MAW MAG-39. 1st MAW doesn't really own squadrons per say, they just rotate through. Between tours with 1st MAW, 2d MAW, and 3d MAW, MAG-16, 26, and 36(?) are already up to nine in the three digits (169, 269 and 369) and you probably don't want to use four digits by added a two digit tenth squadron, I would suggest using 291 (1st squadron commissioned under MAG-29, 2d MAW) or 391 (1st squadron of MAG-39, 3d MAW). I don't belive that any squadrons stood up under MAG-29 - all of the squadrons in 29 now were commissioned before MAG-29 stood up. Same with MAG-39.
I know all the above is confusing if you look at where the squadrons are now but think about who they fell under when they were first commissioned.
Personally, I don't like the fact that we are going with the V for the Osprey - I would have retained the H. Along those lines I would go with HMFA-291. I like the HMFA because I would assume that this thing would have air-to-air and in the AH-1W we used to practice air-air as much as the F/a-18 guys used to practice attack. Of course the focus has changed now for everyone. I also say go with 291 vice 391 because the West Coast has four HMLAs compared to two HML/As on the East Coast so I would hope the next squadron goes east.
Years ago I started to graft a 1/72 V-22 onto a 1/48 OV-10. Didn't look too hard but I got sidetracked.
I did a simliar project turning a Naboo Star Wars fighter into an HMFA-367 VTOL. Tongue-in-cheek I dressed it up like the Marine Corps would have it. I added skids, and the same old flare/chaff, and ALQ-144 in place of R2D2 (we could never afford one of those). Here is a link to it on ARC:
http://s96920072.onlinehome.us/Gal1/401-500/gal410_Naboo_Smith/gal410.htm
