HMLA-369

Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, designated HMLA-369 and nicknamed the Gunfighters, is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton in California. It operates within Marine Aircraft Group 39 of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The squadron’s present aircraft are the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter and the UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter. HMLA-369 supports the Marine Air-Ground Task Force commander through a combination of offensive air support, utility aviation, armed escort, and airborne coordination of supporting arms. Its missions are intended to be conducted during the day or night and in varied weather, including expeditionary, joint, and combined operations. Unlike a commercial brand, HMLA-369 is a military organization whose identity and public reputation are associated with operational service, aviation capability, readiness, and the Gunfighters nickname. The unit was commissioned as Marine Helicopter Attack Squadron 369, or HMA-369, on 1 April 1972 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa. Two months later it deployed to North Vietnam for Operation MARHUK, also known as Marine Hunter-Killer. Operating AH-1J SeaCobras from Navy amphibious ships, it conducted interdiction against enemy watercraft and performed low-level forward air control in support of carrier aviation. The squadron’s first offensive operation took place on 20 June 1972, making it the first attack-helicopter squadron in Marine Corps history to conduct offensive air operations. Its Vietnam-era service earned a Navy Unit Commendation and the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s Helicopter Squadron of the Year award. After returning to Okinawa, the squadron supported later Southeast Asian contingency operations, including the evacuations associated with Operation Eagle Pull and Operation Frequent Wind in 1975. It was disestablished in Okinawa and reestablished at Camp Pendleton in 1977. During the 1980s it participated in the Red Flag combat exercise, supported a 1985 presidential-level visit to China from Hong Kong, and became a mixed attack-and-utility helicopter squadron. The unit was redesignated HMLA-369 on 15 September 1987 and received its first AH-1W Super Cobra later that year. HMLA-369 deployed for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991, then supported the United Nations humanitarian intervention in Somalia during Operation Restore Hope in 1992–1993. Its Somalia missions included close-in fire support, command and control, medical evacuation, escort, reconnaissance, logistics, VIP transport, and assistance to nongovernmental organizations. The squadron subsequently supported Marine Expeditionary Units and additional overseas contingencies. During the post-2001 global war on terror, HMLA-369 flew combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Its documented tasks included close air support, forward air control, armed reconnaissance, escort, and utility support. The squadron flew extensive operations during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and later rotations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Two separate combat losses mentioned in the unit’s history involved AH-1W helicopters and resulted in the deaths of two Marines in each incident, one near Ramadi in 2005 and another during an Afghanistan deployment in 2010. The squadron’s final Afghanistan war deployment described in the reference material took place in 2013. It remains an operational Marine Corps aviation squadron focused on training, readiness, and deployment capability.

HMA-369 was commissioned on 1 April 1972 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, under Marine Aircraft Group 36 and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. In June of that year it deployed to North Vietnam for Operation MARHUK. Its AH-1J SeaCobras operated from USS Denver, USS Cleveland, and USS Dubuque, attacking enemy barges and ferries and assisting naval strike aircraft as low-level forward air controllers. The squadron’s first offensive sortie on 20 June 1972 established a notable milestone in Marine Corps aviation history. It received a Navy Unit Commendation and the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s 1972 Helicopter Squadron of the Year award. The squadron returned to Okinawa in January 1973 but remained involved in regional contingency operations. In 1975 it supported Operation Eagle Pull and Operation Frequent Wind, missions connected with the evacuation of personnel from Cambodia and South Vietnam. In April 1977 HMA-369 was disestablished in Okinawa and reestablished at Camp Pendleton, California, within the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing structure. In August 1983 the unit became the first helicopter squadron from any service to participate in the United States Air Force Red Flag combat exercise. In October 1985, while based in Hong Kong for Vice President George H. W. Bush’s visit to China, four UH-1N helicopters crossed into Chinese airspace to visit Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The event was described as the first entry by a tactical Marine squadron into Communist China’s airspace since 1949. UH-1Ns became a permanent part of the squadron in 1987. On 15 September of that year the unit was redesignated Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, or HMLA-369, and it received its first AH-1W Super Cobra on 30 October. HMLA-369 deployed to Saudi Arabia in August 1990 as part of Marine Aircraft Group 70 for Operation Desert Shield and subsequently participated in Operation Desert Storm. The squadron returned on 10 March 1991. Its performance during the conflict brought recognition to the unit and decorations for several personnel, including a Navy Cross awarded to commanding officer Michael M. Kurth. In late 1992 and early 1993, the Gunfighters deployed to Somalia for Operation Restore Hope. From Baledogle they conducted fire support, command and control, medical evacuation, escort, reconnaissance, resupply, VIP, and humanitarian-support missions. The unit recorded 1,098 flight hours during January 1993 and returned to Camp Pendleton in April. The squadron continued overseas rotations through the Unit Deployment Program and detachments supporting Marine Expeditionary Units, including missions connected with Operation Continue Hope and Operation Distant Runner. After 2001 it supported operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2002, six AH-1Ws from a 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployment flew continuous combat operations in Afghanistan, including close air support, armed reconnaissance, forward air control, and escort. In 2003 HMLA-369 deployed to Kuwait and began combat operations in Iraq within days. It flew hundreds of missions in April and extensive combat sorties during May, supporting the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and British operations in southern Iraq. Later Iraq rotations included operations from Al Taqaddum. On 2 November 2005, a squadron AH-1W was shot down near Ramadi, killing both Marines aboard. The unit deployed again to Iraq in 2007 and from late 2008 into 2009. It deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, in 2010, where another AH-1W was shot down and two Marines died. Further Afghanistan deployments followed, including a 2013 rotation to Camp Bastion. The squadron now operates AH-1Z Vipers and UH-1Y Venoms from Camp Pendleton and maintains readiness for expeditionary and joint operations.

• 2013

  Final Afghanistan war deployment described in the reference

  [1]HMLA-369en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron deployed to Camp Bastion in support of operations in Afghanistan.

• 2005

  Combat aircraft loss near Ramadi

  [1]HMLA-369en.wikipedia.org

  An AH-1W was shot down and both crew members were killed.

• 2002

  Afghanistan combat operations

  [1]HMLA-369en.wikipedia.org

  A squadron detachment conducted sustained combat missions supporting coalition forces in Afghanistan.

• 1993

  Somalia humanitarian deployment

  [1]HMLA-369en.wikipedia.org

  The Gunfighters supported Operation Restore Hope from Baledogle, Somalia.

• 1990

  Deployment for the Gulf War

  [1]HMLA-369en.wikipedia.org

  HMLA-369 deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

• 1987

  Redesignated HMLA-369

  [1]HMLA-369en.wikipedia.org

  The unit received its modern designation on 15 September and acquired its first AH-1W later that year.

• 1983

  Red Flag participation

  [1]HMLA-369en.wikipedia.org

  It became the first helicopter squadron from any service to participate in the Red Flag exercise.

• 1977

  Reestablished at Camp Pendleton

  [1]HMLA-369en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron was disestablished in Okinawa and reestablished in California.

• 1972

  Commissioning as HMA-369

  [1]HMLA-369en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron was commissioned on 1 April at MCAS Futenma in Okinawa.

• 1972

  First Marine attack-helicopter offensive operation

  [1]HMLA-369en.wikipedia.org

  On 20 June, AH-1J helicopters began offensive operations during Operation MARHUK.

A Marine Corps expeditionary light-attack aviation squadron combining attack-helicopter firepower with utility-helicopter support for Marine, joint, and coalition operations.

• Attack helicopter

  AH-1Z Viper

  The AH-1Z Viper is the squadron’s modern attack helicopter. It provides offensive air support, close air support, armed escort, armed reconnaissance, and coordination of supporting arms for Marine expeditionary forces.

• Utility helicopter

  UH-1Y Venom

  The UH-1Y Venom provides utility aviation for missions such as command and control, transport, medical evacuation, logistics, reconnaissance, escort, and support to Marine ground units and partner forces.

• Attack helicopter · 1987

  AH-1W Super Cobra

  The AH-1W Super Cobra was a major historical platform for HMLA-369, entering squadron service in 1987 and supporting Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan operations before the unit transitioned to newer aircraft.

• 2010Operation Enduring Freedom

  Afghanistan

  HMLA-369 deployed to Camp Leatherneck and conducted light-attack helicopter operations in support of coalition forces.

  Outcome. The deployment included a combat aircraft loss and the deaths of two Marines.

  Source
• 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom

  Iraq and Kuwait

  The squadron deployed through Kuwait and supported Marine and British ground forces with combat aviation, including hundreds of missions during the opening phase.

  Outcome. Flight operations for the initial rotation concluded in July 2003, with later Iraq deployments following.

  Source
• 2002Afghanistan operations

  Afghanistan

  A 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit detachment flew combat missions including close air support, armed reconnaissance, forward air control, and escort.

  Outcome. The detachment completed its combat support assignment after sustained operations.

  Source
• 1993Operation Restore Hope

  Somalia

  The Gunfighters provided fire support, evacuation, escort, reconnaissance, logistics, and humanitarian assistance for the United Nations-led intervention.

  Outcome. The squadron returned to Camp Pendleton in April 1993.

  Source
• 1990Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm

  Saudi Arabia and Iraq

  HMLA-369 served as the light-attack helicopter component of MAG-70 and supported the planning and execution of the Gulf War air and ground campaigns.

  Outcome. The squadron returned to Camp Pendleton in March 1991 after completing its theater deployment.

  Source
• 1975Operation Eagle Pull and Operation Frequent Wind

  Cambodia and South Vietnam

  The squadron flew missions associated with the evacuation of personnel during the collapse of allied governments in Southeast Asia.

  Outcome. The evacuation operations concluded and the squadron returned to its normal Marine aviation structure.

  Source
• 1972Operation MARHUK

  North Vietnam and adjoining maritime operating areas

  HMA-369 used AH-1J SeaCobras for maritime interdiction and forward air control in the squadron’s first offensive combat operations.

  Outcome. The squadron completed the deployment and received a Navy Unit Commendation and a service aviation award.

  Source

• 1987

  Adoption of the mixed light-attack helicopter structureStrategy

  Background

  The squadron expanded its utility-helicopter role while retaining attack capability.

  Action taken

  UH-1N helicopters became a permanent part of the unit, followed by redesignation as HMLA-369 and receipt of the AH-1W.

  Aftermath

  The unit formally combined attack and utility aviation under the HMLA designation.

  Source

• Transition to AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y VenomGeneration change

  Background

  The squadron’s current aircraft are the modern Marine Corps AH-1Z and UH-1Y platforms, replacing its historical AH-1W and UH-1N fleet.

  Action taken

  The squadron transitioned to the current Viper and Venom aircraft.

  Aftermath

  HMLA-369 now provides integrated attack and utility helicopter support from Camp Pendleton.

  Source

1. 1HMLA-369en.wikipedia.org
2. 2HMLA-369 official unit page3rdmaw.marines.mil