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US Marine Corps - Marine Heavy
Helicopter Squadron 362 HMH-362 'Ugly Angels' |
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 CH-53D Sea Stallions (HMH-362) at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan - October 2012  CH-53D Sea Stallions (HMH-362) at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan - October 2012  CH-53D Sea Stallions (HMH-362) at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan - October 2012  CH-53D Sea Stallions (HMH-362) at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan - October 2012  CH-53D Sea Stallions (HMH-362) in formation over Helmand Province, Afghanistan - August 2012  CH-53D Sea Stallions (HMH-362) launching flares over Helmand Province, Afghanistan - August 2012 After 60 years of service, the squadron will be deactivated upon returning to their home station at Marine Corps Base Hawaii later this year  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Delaram, Afghanistan - June 2012  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan - June 2012  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Afghanistan - June 2012  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Helmand Province, Afghanistan - June 2012  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Helmand Province, Afghanistan - May 2012  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Helmand Province, Afghanistan - May 2012  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Helmand Province, Afghanistan - May 2012  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Helmand Province, Afghanistan - May 2012  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Helmand Province, Afghanistan - May 2012  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Helmand Province, Afghanistan - May 2012  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Helmand Province, Afghanistan - April 2012  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan - March 2011  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan - March 2011  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan - March 2011  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan - March 2011  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan - March 2011  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan - March 2011  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan - March 2011  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan - March 2011  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Bastion, Afghanistan - March 2011  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Bastion, Afghanistan - March 2011  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Bastion, Afghanistan - January 2011  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Afghanistan - January 2011  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Bastion, Afghanistan - November 2010  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Bastion, Afghanistan - November 2010  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Bastion, Afghanistan - November 2010  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Bastion, Afghanistan - November 2010  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Helmand Province, Afghanistan - October 2010  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Helmand Province, Afghanistan - October 2010  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Bastion, Afghanistan - June 2009  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Camp Bastion, Afghanistan - June 2009  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - Afghanistan - May 2009  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) during exercise RIMPAC 08 - July 2008  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) during exercise RIMPAC 08 - July 2008  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallions (HMH-362) aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) - exercise RIMPAC 08 - July 2008  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallions (HMH-362) aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) - exercise RIMPAC 08 - July 2008  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) - exercise RIMPAC 08 - July 2008  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) aboard USS Bonhomme Richard - exercise RIMPAC 08 - July 2008  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq - September 2007  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) at Haditha, Iraq - July 2007  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq - July 2007  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq - July 2007  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq - July 2007  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) during exercise RIMPAC 04 - Hawaii - July 2004  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) during exercise RIMPAC 04 - off Hawaii - July 2004  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) during exercise RIMPAC 04 - off Hawaii - July 2004  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - Operation Deny Flight - 1993  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - Operation Deny Flight - 1993  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) aboard USS Guadalcanal (LPH 7) - 1992  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - May 1991  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362) - undated  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362), part of HMM-261(C), embarked on USS Guam (LPH 9) during Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada - November 1983  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362), part of HMM-261(C), embarked on USS Guam (LPH 9) during Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada - November 1983  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362), part of HMM-261(C), during Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada - October 1983  Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMH-362), part of HMM-261(C), embarked on USS Guam (LPH 9) during Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada - October 1983  restored Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse (HMM-362) at Fort Worth, Texas - August 2006  USS Okinawa (LPH-3) underway in the South China Sea in January 1969. Note that Okinawa has several Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse helicopters of Marine Medium Helicopter Transport Squadron 362 "Ugly Angels" parked on her flight deck. HMM-362 was the last active U.S. Marine Corps squadron to fly the UH-34. The squadron flew the last combat missions of the UH-34 and on 18 August 1969 held a ceremony at Phu Bai, Vietnam, marking the end of its combat role.  Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse (HMM-362) - retirement ceremony - Vietnam - 1969  Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse (HMM-362) - retirement ceremony - Vietnam - 1969  Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse (HMM-362) - Vietnam War - 1968  Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse (HMM-362) - Vietnam War - 1968  Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse (HMM-362) aboard USS Iwo Jima (LPH 2) - 1967  Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse (HMM-362) aboard USS Iwo Jima (LPH 2) - circa 1966-67  Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse (HMM-362) aboard USS Princeton (LPH 5) - 1966  Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse (HMM-362) aboard USS Valley Forge (LPH 8) - circa 1966  Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse (HMM-362) - Vietnam War - 1966  Sikorsky HUS-1/UH-34D Seahorse (HMM-362) - Vietnam War - 1962  Sikorsky HUS-1/UH-34D Seahorse (HMM-362) - Vietnam War - 1962  Sikorsky HUS-1/UH-34D Seahorse (HMM-362) - Vietnam War - 1962  Hagerty Incident - on 10 June 1960, the press secretary of the U.S. President Eisenhower, James Campbell Hagerty, arrived at Haneda Airport, Tokyo (Japan), to plan the upcoming visit of the president. While attempting to leave the airport for the U.S. embassy, Hagerty’s car was immobilized for an hour before he could be retrieved by a U.S. Marine Corps HUS-1 Seahorse helicopter from HMR(L)-362  Sikorsky HUS-1 Seahorse (HMR(L)-362) aboard USS Princeton (LPH 5) - 1960  Sikorsky HUS-1 Seahorse (HMR(L)-362) aboard USS Princeton (LPH 5) - 1960  Sikorsky HUS-1 Seahorse (HMR(L)-362) aboard USS Princeton (LPH 5) - 1960  Sikorsky HRS-3 (HMR-362) at San Francisco, California - July 1955 |
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The squadron, known as the "Ugly Angels,"
was activated on April 30, 1952 as a Marine Helicopter Transport
Squadron at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Ana, California, under
the designation of Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 362
(HMR-362), Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16), Air Fleet Marine
Force, Pacific. The squadron was redesignated on December 31, 1956, as Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron (Light) 362 (HMR(L)-362), and deployed to Yokosuka, Japan in May 1959, with subsequent deployments to Futema, Okinawa in May 1960 and July 1961. The squadron was again redesignated on February 1, 1962 as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 362 (HMM-362). HMM-362 originally flew the Sikorsky UH-34 as a medium lift capable platform and the squadron holds the proud distinction of being the first Marine aircraft unit to deploy to the Republic of Vietnam. Supporting Operation SHUFLY and subsequent missions, the squadrons first deployment to Vietnam lasted from April 1962 to July 1962. In 1962, HMM-362 was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Archie Clapp and the squadron earned the nickname "Archie’s Angels." It was that nickname that evolved to become the Squadron's subsequent call sign, the "Ugly Angels." On July 31, 1962, HMM-362 returned to Santa Ana, and on October 3, 1962, was designated as the West Coast Helicopter Transition Squadron with the mission of transitioning fixed-wing Marine pilots, with no previous helicopter training, into rotary-winged trained pilots. The squadron continued in this function until July 1, 1964, when it again reverted to operational status. During its second deployment to Vietnam, from September 1965 until August 1969, the Ugly Angels deployed to Soc Trang, Ky Ha, Hue/Phu Bai, and Marble Mountain. HMM-362 additionally served as the Landing Force Squadron on board the USS VALLEY FORGE, USS PRINCETON, USS OKINAWA and USS IWO JIMA. During this time, HMM-362 participated in many notable operations including NAPOLEAN/SALINE, DECKHOUSE, LANCASTER, DOUBLE EAGLE and SCOTLAND. HMM-362 lost a total of thirty-three Marines during these years supporting combat operations in the Republic of Vietnam. HMM-362 would fly the last combat missions of the UH-34 on August 18, 1969 before the squadron’s title was transferred to Marine Aircraft Group 26 (MAG-26), 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW), Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. On August 21, 1969 the Ugly Angels were redesignated Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362 (HMH-362) and began the transition to the CH-53 Sea Stallion. The Ugly Angels returned to combat again from January to March 1991 participating in Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, marking the squadron’s first introduction to combat action in the Middle East. The Squadron also participated in Operations DENY FLIGHT, PROVIDE PROMISE, and SHARP GUARD in Bosnia from May to August of 1993, Operations SOUTHERN WATCH in the Arabian Gulf from June to July 1994, and Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY in Haiti from July to October 1994. In July 1995, HMH-362 was reassigned to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24) in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The Ugly Angels spent much of the early 2000s in Japan, conducting multiple Unit Deployment Program (UDP) rotations in support of several 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) Patrols throughout the Pacific region. HMH-362’s first major operation since Desert Shield and Desert Storm occurred from April 2007 to October 2007, when the squadron deployed to Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Additionally, HMH-362 deployed to Iraq a second time on January 23, 2009, however early into the deployment on April 15, 2009, the unit was retasked and relocated to Kandahar, Afghanistan to support Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. The squadron would complete the Iraq-Afghanistan deployment on August 18, 2009, before returning back to Hawaii. The Ugly Angels subsequently deployed two more times in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM deploying to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan September to March 2011, and from March to September 2012. Notably, for their final deployment to Afghanistan, the Ugly Angels were the last squadron to operate the CH-53D in combat. On November 30, 2012, HMH-362 was deactivated and the CH-53D retired from service within the Marine Corps. On 17 August, 2018, HMH-362 was re-activated and re-designated as “Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 362” (VMM-362) under the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Aircraft Group 16, in Miramar California, where they operate the MV-22B Osprey. source: USMC - - - - - another history: The squadron was originally established as HMR-362 on 20 April 1952 as part of Marine Helicopter Transport Group 36 (MAG(HR)-36) which was established on 2 June 1952. The squadron was initially equipped with the Sikorsky HRS. In the early 1960s HMM-362 formed part of Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. On 1 January 1962 it embarked on USS Princeton. In late March the squadron participated in SEATO Exercise Tulungan in the Philippines, on the conclusion of that exercise it embarked on the Princeton and went to Naval Air Station Cubi Point to exchange some helicopters with HMM-261. Vietnam War: The squadron served as the first Marine aircraft unit in South Vietnam. The squadron went ashore with their Sikorsky UH-34s on 15 April 1962 from the Princeton landing at Sóc Trăng Airfield in the Mekong Delta. The squadron was reinforced by three Cessna OE-1 observation aircraft and one R4D. This mission codenamed Operation Shufly was to increase the mobility of Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) units fighting the Vietcong (VC) in the rice producing Delta region. The squadron was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Archie Clapp and it gained the nickname "Archie’s Angels". The nickname evolved to "Ugly Angels" that gave HMM/HMH-362 their well-known call sign. The squadron conducted their first operation on 22 April lifting soldiers from the ARVN 7th Division. On 24 April the squadron supported the ARVN 21st Division in Operation Nightingale near Cần Thơ, during this operation VC fire hit a UH-34 severing a hydraulic line forcing it to make an emergency landing, but the helicopter was repaired and flown out. In June the squadron developed the concept of the Eagle Flight where four Marine helicopters loaded with about 50 ARVN soldiers circled above an operational area on alert for any VC attempting to evade the ground forces. Once the VC were located, often by the OE-1 observation aircraft, the helicopters would land the ARVN soldiers at a position where they could block the VC escape. On 1 August 1962 the squadron was replaced by HMM-163 as the Shufly squadron at Sóc Trăng. On 1 February 1964 the squadron replaced HMM-361 as the Shufly squadron at Da Nang Air Base. During this deployment the squadron trained Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) pilots how to fly the UH-34 in preparation for the establishment of RVNAF UH-34 squadrons. On 11 August 1965 the USS Princeton left Long Beach, California with the squadron onbord. The squadron deployed to South Vietnam from 2 September to 31 December 1965. During this time it supported Operation Harvest Moon. From 6 January to 8 April 1966 the squadron was part of the Special Landing Force (SLF) aboard USS Valley Forge. In late January the squadron supported Operation Double Eagle landing the Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines. The squadron returned to SLF duty from 28 September to 31 December 1966 aboard USS Iwo Jima. The squadron continued with SLF duty until 18 January 1967. During this time it supported Operation Deckhouse V. The squadron joined MAG-36 at Phu Bai Combat Base on 19 January. The squadron returned to SLF duty with SLF Alpha from 28 June to 7 September. During this time it supported Operation Buffalo. On 8 September the squadron joined MAG-16 at Marble Mountain Air Facility, but on 16 October it rejoined MAG-36. From late January 1968 the squadron supported the Battle of Khe Sanh. Several squadron UH-34s would be kept on standby in revetments at Khe Sanh Combat Base in January-February to conduct emergency medevac and resupply missions. On 18 April 1968 the squadron joined SLF Alpha from MAG-36. The squadron ended SLF duty on 5 September 1968 and rejoined MAG-16. On 11 October during Operation Maui Peak a squadron helicopter #58-1387 taking off flew into the bottom of an HMM-265 CH-46 resupply helicopter Bu 151917, both crashed killing all nine Marines onboard. The squadron rejoined SLF Alpha on 8 December 1968 on USS Okinawa. The squadron continued with SLF duty until 25 May 1969 when it rejoined MAG-36. On its return to shore the squadron was assigned to support the 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade. The squadron would fly the last combat missions of the UH-34 and on 18 August 1969 they held a ceremony at Phu Bai marking the end of its combat role. On 21 August the squadron was assigned to Fleet Marine Force Atlantic. The squadron would reform at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina where they would transition to the CH-53 Sea Stallion and be redesignated as HMH-362. HMM-362 lost a total of 33 Marines during their years of supporting combat operations in South Vietnam. Post Vietnam: The squadron relocated from Santa Ana, California to Vietnam in 1962 as part of Marine Aircraft Group 36, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing. From 1969 through 1995 the squadron was located at Marine Corps Air Station New River, NC and was under MAG-26, 2d MAW, II MEF. It was during this time that the squadron was officially re-designated Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362. During the early 1990s the squadron deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm. In 1993 the squadron deployed aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) with 6x CH-53D's and 4x UH-1N helicopters as part of a Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF). In 1994 the squadron served as the Aviation Combat Element aboard the USS Wasp (LHD-1) in support of Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti. Shortly after, In 1995 HMH-362 relocated to MCAF Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii as part of Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Global War on Terror: In March 2002, HMH-362 opened a new chapter when it became the first CH-53D squadron from MAG-24 assigned to the Marine Corps’ Unit Deployment Program at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan for a six-month period. Within 48 hours of their arrival in the western Pacific, the Ugly Angels embarked on a four-month, island-hopping tour known within the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing as the "Fishhook," so named for the shape of its stops in various Southeast Asian nations. Operating as the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) in five countries for Landing Force Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (LF CARAT) 2002, the squadron played an essential role in the Commander's, U.S. Pacific Command Theater Engagement Plan. During this period, the Ugly Angels flew over 7,100 nautical miles from mainland Japan through the Republic of the Philippines, Brunei, Singapore, and Malaysia to Utapao, Thailand, before redeploying to Iwakuni. The total distance covered by HMH-362's helicopters exceeded that of a flight from New York to Hong Kong. HMH-362 ended 2002 with a culmination of over 59,000 Class A mishap-free flight hours. After returning to Kaneohe Bay in 2002, HMH-362 resumed its assault support mission throughout the Hawaiian Islands. In September 2003, HMH-362 once again returned to the Western Pacific in support of the Unit Deployment Program, deploying with eight CH-53D aircraft to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. Over the six-month period, the squadron participated in exercises in the Republic of the Philippines. Additionally, the squadron deployed two separate training detachments to the Republic of Korea in January 2004. In March 2004, HMH-362 returned to the Republic of Korea in support of Exercise Foal Eagle. Additional high lights from UDP ’03-’04 included a three-week training detachment to the Japanese island of Okinawa, and support of Exercise Yamasakura on mainland Japan. HMH-362 redeployed to its home station of MCB Kaneohe Bay in April 2004 to resume its assault support mission in the Hawaiian Islands. The Ugly Angels embarked on its third UDP tour in the spring of 2005, spending six months aboard MCAS Futenma in Okinawa, Japan. That summer, one-half of the squadron was attached to the aviation combat element for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) and participated in the Philippines Bilateral Exercise (PHIBLEX) aboard the USS Essex (LHD-2). In November 2005, the squadron conducted a presidential support mission during which it flew logistical support missions for the Commander-in-Chief’s visit to Osaka, Japan. The squadron’s flawless execution of that mission prompted a second presidential support operation the following February in Hyderabad, India. In July, 2006, HMH-362 operated aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) as the aviation combat element for the RIMPAC exercise 2006. Operation Iraqi Freedom: 2007 would see HMH-362 participate in its first major combat operation since Desert Storm. On April 3, the Ugly Angels departed MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii for a planned seven-month tour aboard Al Asad Airbase in western Iraq as part of OIF 06-08. The squadron officially assumed their mission following a transfer of authority from HMH-363 on April 13th, and subsequently flew over 380 combat flight hours in the first two weeks in the Al Anbar Province. The "Ugly Angels" remained there for seven months and returned in November 2007. During the deployment, HMH-362 became the first heavy lift helicopter squadron in OIF to incorporate the "Aeroscout" mission. The Marine Corps Aviation Association honored the "Ugly Angels" by awarding the squadron the Keith B. McCutcheon Award as Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron of the Year. Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation Enduring Freedom: On January 23, 2009 the squadron was again deployed to Al Asad Airbase, in Iraq in support of OIF. Early into their deployment however their tasking was changed and the squadron was redeployed to Kandahar International Airport in Afghanistan as part of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan and later Marine Aircraft Group 40 which is the aviation combat element of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. For this high altitude deployment the T64-GE-413 engines of the squadron's CH-53Ds were upgraded to the T64-GE-416 engine which is used in the CH-53E Super Stallion. The squadron arrived in Afghanistan on April 15 and began supporting combat operations on April 22. The squadron moved from Kandahar International Airport to operate from Camp Bastion on May 17 and resumed operations on May 18. The Ugly Angels provided assault support as part of Operation Kanjari, a heliborne insert of approximately 4,000 Marines into the heart of Taliban country in the Helmand River Valley earning the most prestigious U.S. unit award for combat gallantry, the Presidential Unit Citation. The squadron returned to Marine Corps Base Hawaii on August 18, 2009, 40 years to the day after receiving their first CH-53. The squadron did not receive any enemy caused damage throughout the entire deployment. Operation Enduring Freedom: Following an extremely safe and successful combat tour, the Ugly Angels conducted a Change of Command on 15 Sep 2009 and quickly transitioned from combat operations to garrison operations that would focus on a robust Pre-deployment Training Program (PTP). This training plan would be executed over a compressed 10-month timeline. During this PTP cycle, the Ugly Angels supported Lava Viper, a joint operations live fire exercise on the Big Island of Hawaii within the U.S. Army's Pohakuloa Training Area, Weapons and Tactics course 2-10 and a desert training package at Marine Corps Station in Yuma, AZ. Toy for Tots were flown by Ugly Angels from Oahu to Molokai just in time for Christmas. The squadron conducted the first external lift of an 11th Marines M777A2 cannon at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii airfield in 2010. Gunnery Sergeant Donald Wilson was recognized as the 2010 Marine Corps Aviation Associations “Willie D. Sproule” Maintenance Marine of the year and Sergeant Steve Boungnadeth was recognized as 2010 MCAA Paul G. Vess' Avionics Marine of the year. The Ugly Angels would again deploy to the Helmand Province from August 2010 to March 2011. In August 2010 the Ugly Angles departed Hawaii for Camp Bastion to conduct a Relief in Place (RIP) with fellow Hawaiian squadron HMH-363. On 7 September 2010, during a Transfer of Authority (TOA) ceremony on the Bastion flight line the Ugly Angels assumed the CH-53D mission from the Red Lions. The squadron of 190 Marines and Sailors operated from Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 10.2 in support of 3d Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), Regional Command Southwest. The Ugly Angels provided day and night all weather professional assault support to Marine Corps Infantry and coalition partners under the call sign of “Provider.” The Ugly Angels immediately surged to support the Afghanistan national elections. Multiple flights were flown in support of polling centers and the movement of Afghanistan officials throughout the Helmand Province. Highlights of the deployment were the support of over 20 named operations. The employment for the first time of the GAU-21/A 0.50 Cal Medium Window Pintle Connection Weapon System mounted in both the left and right forward windows. This weapon system is also used with the Ramp Mounted Weapon System. Aircraft 51 (Buno 157748) attained 10,000 flight hours, the Ugly Angel Games, the airfield movement of all squadron aircraft and spaces from the old Bastion flight line to the newly built Bastion flight line and multiple Aero-Hunter Missions with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines. Many Distinguished Visitors spent time with the Ugly Angels from the 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps General James F. Amos, the Commanding General 3d MAW (FWD), and the Commanding General 1st Marine Division (FWD). The Ugly Angels were recognized for excellence and continued their relationships with friends and families throughout the deployment. The Secretary of the Navy awarded the Ugly Angels as the 2010 Navy and Marine Corps aviation squadron for safety and excellence. Lt Sarah Ballard, US Navy, was selected as the Operational Flight Surgeon of the year 2010, Corporal Yevgeniy Levin participated in a Naturalization ceremony in Kandahar, the squadron flew American Flags for the U.S. Bobsled Team and Sergeant Joshua Obermier was recognized as the 2011 Marine Corps Aviation Associations James E. Nicholson Non-Commissioned Leadership award. The Ugly Angels conducted a RIP/TOA with fellow Hawaiian squadron HMH-463 “Pegasus” on 10 March 2011 and redeployed to Hawaii after supporting Regional Command Southwest with over 4200 sorties, safety delivered over 17,000 passengers and 2.3 million pounds of cargo. This accomplishment was made possible by an extremely dedicated and talented maintenance department that conducted over 68,000 maintenance man-hours and 21 aircraft phase inspections. The squadron had two aircraft sustain battle damage during the deployment. On 18 March 2010, the entire squadron was reunited in Hawaii and on 8 April 2010 the last Change of Command ceremony was held aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The Ugly Angels immediately began another aggressive PTP cycle. The Ugly Angels returned to Afghanistan in 2012, marking the final combat deployment for the CH-53D. HMH-362 was deactivated on 30 November 2012. The squadron was reactivated in FY18 as VMM-362, an MV-22 Osprey squadron. source: wikipedia |
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