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US Marine Corps - Marine Medium
Tiltrotor Squadron 362 VMM-362 'Ugly Angels' |
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 MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) over Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - September 2023  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - April 2023  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - April 2023  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - April 2023  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - April 2023  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - March 2023  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2023  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2023  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2023  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - January 2023  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) aboard USS Anchorage (LPD 23) - January 2023  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - December 2022  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - November 2022  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - November 2022  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - November 2022  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - November 2022  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - November 2022  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) aboard USS Anchorage (LPD 23) - November 2022  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - September 2022  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - September 2022  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - August 2022  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - July 2022  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) - Eagle Mountain, California - June 2022  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at MCAS Miramar, California - May 2022  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) aboard USS Anchorage (LPD 23) - February 2022  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - February 2022  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) embarked on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) - December 2021  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) aboard USS Essex (LHD 2) - July 2020  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California - April 2020  cutout  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California - April 2020  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California - April 2020  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California - April 2020  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California - April 2020  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California - April 2020  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California - April 2020  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California - February 2020  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California - February 2020  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California - February 2020  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California - February 2020  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho - November 2019  excerpt  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) - rescue training at Bruneau, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) - rescue training at Bruneau, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) - rescue training at Bruneau, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) - rescue training at Bruneau, Idaho - November 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico - July 2019  MV-22B Osprey (VMM-362) at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico - July 2019  Former HMH-362 members gather during the VMM-362 activation ceremony at MCAS Miramar, California - August 17, 2018  activation ceremony at MCAS Miramar, California - August 17, 2018 |
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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 Ugly Angels hold the proud distinction of having served as the first Marine aircraft unit in the Republic of Vietnam, going ashore on 15 April 1962 as Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron Light HMR (L) 362 with their Sikorsky UH-34s, arriving at Sóc Trăng in the Mekong Delta south of Saigon. under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Archie Clapp. The task unit was called "Shufly" and its first operational employment involved lifting Vietnamese troops into battle on April 22. It was the evolution of "Archie’s Angels" to "Ugly Angels" that gave HMM/HMH-362 their well-known call sign. HMM-362 served in the Republic of Vietnam until 1969, in addition to the first deployment to Soc Trang, the squadron also deployed to Kỳ Hà, Marble Mountain and Hue/Phu Bai. During these years HMM-362 also supported operations in Vietnam from the sea, serving aboard the USS Iwo Jima, USS Okinawa, and USS Princeton. HMM-362 lost a total of thirty-three Marines during their years of supporting combat operations in the Republic of Vietnam. The squadron would fly the last combat missions of the UH-34 "Huss" and on August 18, 1969 they held a ceremony at Phu Bai marking the end of its combat role. The final six aircraft in the squadron were flown to Da Nang to be shipped back to the United States and the squadron's title was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina where they would transition to the CH-53 Sea Stallion and redesignated as HMH-362. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 an MV-22 Osprey squadron. source: wikipedia |
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