HMH-363

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Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363
HMH-363 Unit insignia
Active	June 2, 1952 - present
Country	USA
Branch	USMC
Type	Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron
Role	Assault Support
Part of	Marine Aircraft Group 24 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQ	Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Nickname	"Red Lions"
Battles/wars	Vietnam War Operation Iraqi Freedom

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-53D Sea Stallion transport helicopters. The squadron, known as the "Lucky Red Lions", is based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay and is attached to Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW).

1 Mission
2 History
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Mission

The mission of HMH-363 is to provide Assault Support transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment during expeditionary, joint or combined operations. Be prepared for short-notice, worldwide employment in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations.

[edit] History

[edit] Korean War

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 the "Red Lions", was activated on June 2, 1952, at Santa Ana, California and was designated the "Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron (MHTS) 363". It was activated as a result of the demands of the Korean War.

[edit] Vietnam War

The squadron was deployed to Vietnam in August 1965 and was involved with numerous operations, which increased in intensity following the Tet Offensive in early 1968. On January 23, 1969, the squadron was redeployed back to California and was designated "Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363" (HMH-363) after having received the Sikorsky CH-53A transport helicopter.

[edit] 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 evalutation of the USS Tarawa (LHA-1), 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 3 1/2 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 Desert Shield/Desert Storm, HMH-363 supported the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Okinawa and returned to California in May 1991, terminating its unit rotations to Okinawa after this eleven month deployment. In December 1992, the squadron participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and was awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. The squadron has also supported Joint Task Force Six at Fort Bliss, Texas. During August 1996, the RED LIONS relocated to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay and were reassigned to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

[edit] Global War on Terror

In October, 2006, HMH-363 deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Based at Al Asad, this is the unit's first deployment in support of the Global War on Terror^[1]^[2]. Eventually the squadron will transition to the new MV-22 Osprey.