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HMH-361

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Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361
HMH-361 insignia
Active25 February 1952 - present
CountryUnited States
BranchUSMC
TypeMarine Heavy Helicopter Squadron
RoleAssault Support
Part ofMarine Aircraft Group 16
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQMarine Corps Air Station Miramar
Nickname(s)"Flying Tigers"
Tail CodeYN
EngagementsVietnam War
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Current
commander		LtCol B. Thoreen

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMH-361) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-53E Super Stallion transport helicopters. The squadron, known as the "Flying Tigers", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).

History

Early years

HMH-361 was initially commissioned as Marine Transport Squadron 361 on 25 February 1952 at what was then Marine Corps Air Station Santa Ana, California.[1] The squadron was attached to the only helicopter group in the Marine Corps, Marine Air Group (HR) - 16. At that time, the squadron consisted of only three OY-2 and one HRS-2 helicopters located at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. The original mission of the squadron was to train for and improve upon amphibious ship-to-shore tactics. An additional mission was training replacement pilots for duty in the Korean War.

HMR-361 HRS helicopters over Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii, 1953

Shortly thereafter the squadron undertook its first major operation, to provide support for the atomic test exercise at Desert Rock, Nevada which is still the largest helicopter operation in history. Upon their return, HMR-361 was transferred to the newly established MAG (HR)-36 at MCAF Santa Ana in 1953. On 31 December 1956, the squadron was redesignated HMR(l)-361 and was now flying the HRS-3 helicopter. The squadron participated in two more atomic bomb testing exercises, beginning in June 1957 and February 1958.

In September 1958, the squadron began flying the H-34 helicopter and in 1960 performed the first West Coast parachute drop for Marine Pathfinders from the H-34. On February 1, 1962, the squadron was redesignated HMM-361 according to a Marine Corps wide redesignation for all H-34 squadrons. HMM-361 deployed for the Cuban Missile Crisis on 27 October 1962, in support of the 5th Marine Expeditionary Force onboard the USS Iwo Jima.

Vietnam War

In June 1963, the squadron was deployed to Okinawa. The one-year deployment was cut short, however, when the squadron was transferred to Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam to become the latest Operation Shufly helicopter squadron on 2 October.[2]: 120  It was there that the squadron earned the nickname "Ross's Rice Runners", after their commanding officer, Lt Col Tom Ross. On 8 October two squadron UH—34Ds crashed almost simultaneously while on a search and rescue mission 38 miles (61 km) southwest of Da Nang. Both helicopters burned, killing 10 men; the pilots, copilots, the squadron's flight surgeon, and five crewmen. It was unclear if the helicopters had been shot down or collided in mid-air.[2]: 120 

On 3 January 1964 another squadron UH-34 was shot down by the Viet Cong 30 miles (48 km) west of Da Nang with no casualties.[2]: 144  The squadron completed its Shufly assignment on 1 February having flown 4,236 combat flight hours and just under 7,000 combat sorties.[2]: 146 

On 30 July 1965 the squadron returned to Da Nang, joining Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16).[3]: 230  In August the squadron supported Operation Starlite.[3]: 73  On 12 August the squadron conducted the first nighttime helicopter assault by Marines during the war when they lifted 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines into a landing zone 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Da Nang during Operation Midnight.[3]: 158  In December the squadron supported Operation Harvest Moon.[3]: 158 

The squadron left South Vietnam on 1 April 1966 and returned on 26 May.[4]: 347  In August the squadron supported Operation Colorado.[4]: 214  The squadron left South Vietnam on 16 December.[4]: 347 

On 16 February 1967 the squadron returned to South Vietnam from Okinawa rejoining MAG-16.[5]: 281  In late May the squadron supported Operation Union II. [5]: 70  On 3 September 17 of its helicopters were destroyed by People's Army of Vietnam artillery fire while they were parked at Đông Hà Combat Base. This incident would lead to their transfer south to the Marble Mountain Air Facility.[5]: 130  On 15 November the squadron flew aboard USS Iwo Jima to become the Special Landing Force (SLF) Alpha helicopter squadron.[5]: 174 

On 22 January 1968 the squadron lifted BLT 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines ashore to Camp Evans and then lifted the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines to Khe Sanh Combat Base.[6]: 109  On 10 February the squadron was assigned to MAG-16. On 18 May the squadron departed for the U.S.[6]: 719  On its return to the U.S. the squadron was attached to Marine Aircraft Group 26 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. It was there that the squadron transitioned to the CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter and was redesignated Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron, HMH-361.

In August 1969 the squadron returned to South Vietnam joining Marine Aircraft Group 36 at Phu Bai Combat Base.[7]: 238  On 26 September the squadron was transferred to MAG-16.[7]: 344 

On 28 January 1970 the squadron departed South Vietnam boarding ships for Marine Corps Air Station Santa Ana, California.[8]

Postwar and the 1980s

HMH-361 received their first CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter in 1977, and on 1 June 1979, made their first squadron to deploy overseas as part of the new Unit Deployment Program, completing the first of twelve, six-month WestPac deployments on 3 December 1979.

In October 1984 the squadron became the first 3rd MAW helicopter squadron to train under the squadron training exercise and employment plan. Finishing this training in May 1985, HMH-361 attained the highest Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation System (MCCRES) grade to date for a rotary wing squadron. During the squadron's ensuing six WestPac deployments under the UDP, the squadron accomplished the first overwater flight to NAS Cubi Point, Republic of the Philippines.

The 1990s

A CH-53 from HMH-361 training in Okinawa in 1995.

The squadron began conversion to the CH-53E Super Stallion on 23 August 1990. On 5 November 1992, the squadron deployed to Okinawa as the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU), the first MEU to utilize a CH-53E squadron as the nucleus. Here they were joined by detachments of CH-46E's from HMM-262, AH-1W's, and UH-1N's from HMLA-267 and AV-8B's from VMA-311 to become HMH-361 (REIN), the first CH-53E composite squadron in history.

A CH-53E Super Stallion from HMH-361 flying off the coast o Camp Pendleton, California.

In November 1994 the squadron was quadruple sited while on their tenth deployment to Okinawa. Detachments were sent to the 13th and 31st MEU's, the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground task force in support of Operation United Shield while the main body remained on Okinawa.

In August 1995, the squadron was awarded the Marine Corps Aviation Association's Keith B McCutcheon award as Marine Heavy Helicopter squadron of the year and in June 1996 were awarded the 1995 CNO Aviation Association Safety Award.

After returning from Okinawa and reintegrating its MEU detachments in May 1997, the squadron assumed the Alert Contingency Marine air-ground task force (ACM) status. Once again they were awarded the Marine Corps Aviation Association's Keith B McCutcheon award as Marine Heavy Helicopter squadron of the year. The squadron also supported HMX-1 and the President of the United States, transporting three CH-53E's to San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina, aboard Air Force C-5 Galaxy aircraft.

Global War of Terror

On 26 January 2005, a CH-53E Super Stallion from the unit crashed near Ar Rutbah, Iraq killing all 31 service members on board.[9]

In October 2008 the squadron deployed to the Al Anbar Province, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Based out of Al Asad Air Base, the squadron was responsible for multiple assault support missions and sorties, as well as delivery of troops, supplies, weapons support, and even delivery of troop mail. The squadron also carried out Angel Flight missions and Quick Reaction Force (QRF) missions. The squadron maintained a combat readiness above 95% during the deployment and was later awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for its distinguished efforts while in the theater. The unit returned home to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California in late May 2008 (advanced party) and early June 2008 (main body).

In February 2009, the squadron again deployed to the Al Anbar Province, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operating out of Al Asad Air Base, the squadron was responsible for multiple assault support missions and sorties, as well as delivery of troops, supplies, weapons support, and even delivery of troop mail. The squadron also carried out Angel Flight missions, MAGTF Support/Raid Missions and QRF. The squadron maintained a combat readiness above 93% during the deployment and was later awarded another Meritorious Unit Citation for its distinguished efforts while in the theater. The unit returned home to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, CA in late July 2009 (advanced party) and early September 2009 (main body).

In August 2010 HMH-361 deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They are based at Camp Leatherneck and returned to the U.S. in early 2011.

In August 2012 HMH-361 again deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where they took part in fending off a Taliban attack on the British Camp Bastion airfield on 14 September 2012. The squadron returned to the United States in February 2013.

In April 2013, upon return from their deployment to Afghanistan, HMH-361 was announced as the recipient of the Keith B McCutcheon Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron of the year award.

See also

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
  1. ^ Rawlins, Eugene W. (1976). Marines and Helicopters 1946–1962 (PDF). History and Museums Division, Headquarters Marine Corps. p. 105. ISBN 9781500102852.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c d Whitlow, Robert (1977). U.S. Marines in Vietnam:The Advisory And Combat Assistance Era, 1954–1964 (PDF). History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. ISBN 1494285290.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ a b c d Shulimson, Jack (1978). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: The Landing and the Buildup (PDF). History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. ISBN 978-1494287559.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ a b c Shulimson, Jack (1982). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: An Expanding War 1966 (PDF). History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. ISBN 978-1494285159.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ a b c d Telfer, Gary (1984). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: Fighting the North Vietnamese 1967. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. ISBN 978-1494285449.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^ a b Shulimson, Jack; Blasiol, Leonard; Smith, Charles; Dawson, David (1997). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: 1968, the Defining Year (PDF). History and Museums Division, USMC. ISBN 0160491258.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ^ a b Smith, Charles (1988). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: High Mobility and Standdown 1969 (PDF). History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. ISBN 978-1494287627.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. ^ Cosmas, Graham (1986). US Marines in Vietnam Vietnamization and Redeployment 1970-1971. History and Museums Division Headquarters United States Marine Corps. p. 15. ISBN 9781494287498.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. ^ "Incident Date 050126 HMH-361 CH-53E - BuNo unknown - incident not yet classified - near Ar Rutbah, Iraq". Marine Corps Combat Helicopter Association. Retrieved 20 November 2007.
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