VMM-363

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Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Inherent Resolve
Commanders
Current
commander		LtCol G.T. Blumenfeld

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 (VMM-363) is a

MV-22B Ospreys. The squadron, known as the "Lucky Red Lions", is based at MCB Hawaii and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24) and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
.

Mission

Provide

Marine Air-Ground Task Force
(MAGTF) mission that may include conventional assault support tasks and special operations.

History

Early years

Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 363 (HMR-363) was activated on 2 June 1952, at

HRS-1 and during this period took part in Operation Desert Rock, the first atomic test to use ground troops. Soon thereafter, the squadron became the first West Coast helicopter unit to receive the Sikorsky H-34 helicopter.[2]: 6  In December 1964, a disastrous flood struck Northern California, and on Christmas Eve, HMM-363 deployed aboard the USS Bennington
and rushed northward to the disaster area.

MCAS Tustin
in 1964.

Vietnam War

On 11 August 1965 the squadron departed the U.S. onboard

Tiger Division
was airlifted to Hill 78 in conjunction with the operation, which was viewed as the most successful Korean offensive of the war to date.

At the beginning of 1966 the squadron remained at Qui Nhon under the operational control of the Commanding General, U.S. Field Forces, Vietnam.

Special Landing Force (SLF) helicopter squadron aboard USS Iwo Jima.[4]: 305  During its time as the SLF squadron it supported Operation Deckhouse II, launched in conjunction with Operation Hastings.[4]: 168  In September the squadron supported Operation Deckhouse IV.[4]: 188  On 28 September the squadron returned ashore.[4]
: 347 

On 19 January 1967 the squadron returned to SLF duty on Iwo Jima.[5]: 153  In mid-February the squadron supported Operation Deckhouse VI.[5]: 58  From 20 March the squadron supported Operation Beacon Hill.[5]: 155  On 4 April the squadron was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 13 at Chu Lai Base Area.[5]: 281  In September the squadron supported Operation Swift.[5]: 113  In October the squadron supported Operation Kingfisher.[5]: 137  By December the squadron was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16 at Marble Mountain Air Facility.[5]: 317 

On 9 February 1968 the squadron became the SLF Alpha helicopter squadron.

medical evacuation. During the flight up the coast the medevac helicopter lost its engine and crashed killing seven people including the commanding officer. On 15 April the squadron returned ashore under the control of MAG-36.[6]: 719  On 6 September the squadron again became the SLF Alpha helicopter squadron.[6]: 636  On 7 December the squadron returned ashore under MAG-36 at Phu Bai Combat Base.[6]
: 639 

On 21 January 1969, the squadron was redeployed back to the U.S..

CH-53A
transport helicopter.

Post-Vietnam

In October 1972, the squadron was the first unit to receive the powerful

CH-53D. In March 1977, the squadron was selected to participate in the operational evaluation of the USS Tarawa
, the first of the new large and modern amphibious ships. In early 1983, the squadron was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation.

The Squadron provided relief efforts and humanitarian support in the Philippines following a devastating earthquake and flood in 1990. HMH-363 flew countless missions and over 500 flight hours in 3½ weeks, delivering food, clothing, and shelter to inhabitants living in remote areas of the Philippines. The squadron received the Humanitarian Service Medal for its relief effort.

CH-53D Sea Stallions from HMH-363 on the flightline at MCB Hawaii on January 12, 2006.

During

Marine Corps Air Facility Kaneohe Bay and were reassigned to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
.

Global War on Terror

A CH-53D from HMH-363 flying in Iraq.

From late 2006 to early 2007, HMH-363 deployed to

Global War on Terror[9][10]
During Operation Iraqi Freedom HMH-363 flew 848.8 hours in one month. The squadron deployed again to
MCB Hawaii
in February 2009.

HMH-363 was deactivated on 10 May 2012 at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The squadron was then re-designated VMM-363 and activated as an

MV-22B Osprey Squadron aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar as part of Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
.

Upon activating in 3rd MAW VMM-363 would go on to serve three combat deployments in the Central Command Area of Responsibility before moving back to MCB Hawaii.

Four U.S. Marine paratroopers jump from the rear loading ramp of a MV-22 Osprey.
U.S. Marines jump from an Osprey.

See also

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
  1. ISBN 9781500102852.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain
    .
  2. ^
    ISBN 0-7881-1818-8.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain
    .
  3. ISBN 978-1494287559.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain
    .
  4. ^
    ISBN 978-1494285159.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain
    .
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-1494285449.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain
    .
  6. ^
    ISBN 0160491258.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain
    .
  7. ISBN 978-1494287627.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain
    .
  8. ISBN 1-59114-790-5
    .
  9. ^ "Delta squadrons exchange aircraft as mission turnover draws near". Marine Corps News. U.S. Marine Corps.
  10. ^ "HMH-363 assumes role of assault support in Iraq". Marine Corps News. U.S. Marine Corps.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363.
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