VMM-364

VMM-364 is a United States Marine Corps medium-lift tiltrotor squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton in California. The unit operates the MV-22B Osprey and is assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 39 within the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Its operational role is to provide utility aviation support for the landing force, including ship-to-shore movement, tactical transport, casualty evacuation, logistics, contingency operations, and follow-on operations ashore. The squadron is identified by the nickname “Purple Foxes,” a designation adopted during its Vietnam-era service. The unit was originally commissioned as Marine Helicopter Squadron 364, or HMR-364, at Marine Corps Air Facility Santa Ana on 1 September 1961. It received UH-34 helicopters later that year and was redesignated Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, HMM-364, in February 1962. One of its first major assignments was support for Operation Dominic, a series of United States nuclear tests in the central Pacific. Operating from amphibious assault ships, the squadron conducted search and recovery for test instruments, personnel evacuation, and ship-to-shore resupply missions. HMM-364 became heavily involved in the Vietnam War. It deployed to Okinawa in 1963 and in February 1964 took over the Operation Shufly mission at Da Nang, supporting South Vietnamese forces and training Republic of Vietnam Air Force crews on UH-34 operations. The squadron subsequently flew combat-support missions in South Vietnam, including troop movements, resupply, medical evacuation, and support for operations in the A Shau Valley and other areas of I Corps. It returned to Vietnam in 1965, supported Operation Harvest Moon, and participated in later operations including Utah and Taylor Common. During this period its aircraft suffered combat losses and accidents, although crews were often rescued. The squadron transitioned toward the CH-46D Sea Knight in 1967 and operated from Phu Bai during the major fighting of 1968, including the Battle of Khe Sanh and the Battle of Huế. It later moved under Marine Aircraft Group 16 and flew its final Vietnam mission in February 1971. HMM-364 was decommissioned at the end of March 1971 after nearly a decade of service, much of it in Southeast Asia. Its Vietnam service included approximately 70,000 combat and combat-support flight hours and resulted in the award of a Presidential Unit Citation. HMM-364 was reactivated in Hawaii in September 1984. During the late 1980s and 1990s it supported deployments and exercises across the Pacific, including operations connected with the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines and humanitarian relief after Hurricane Iniki in Hawaii. It also participated in exercises and personnel-recovery activities involving South Korea, Cambodia, and Thailand. In 1996 the squadron provided executive transport for President Bill Clinton and other officials during an inspection of flood damage in Oregon, an event described by the unit as the first flight by a United States president in a Fleet Marine Force helicopter. The squadron deployed repeatedly during the Global War on Terror. In 2003 it operated CH-46E helicopters from Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, conducting casualty evacuation and logistics missions for Marine and allied forces as coalition troops advanced from southern Iraq toward Baghdad. It returned to Iraq in 2005, 2006–2007, 2008, and 2009–2010. The 2003 deployment included the loss of an aircraft during a resupply mission, while a separate aircraft was shot down during a 2006 casualty-evacuation mission, causing the deaths of squadron personnel and other service members. On 9 October 2014, the unit completed its transition from the CH-46E to the MV-22B Osprey and was redesignated Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 364, VMM-364. The redesignation reflected the Marine Corps-wide shift from conventional medium-lift helicopters to tiltrotor aviation. VMM-364 continues to operate as part of the Marine Corps’ expeditionary aviation structure, combining helicopter-like vertical takeoff and landing with the higher-speed and longer-range cruise capabilities of the Osprey.

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 364 traces its lineage to Marine Helicopter Squadron 364, commissioned at Marine Corps Air Facility Santa Ana, California, on 1 September 1961. The unit initially operated the Sikorsky UH-34 and was redesignated HMM-364 in February 1962. Its early work included Operation Dominic in the Pacific, where it recovered test equipment, evacuated personnel, and moved supplies between ships and shore facilities. In late 1963 the squadron deployed to Okinawa and in February 1964 took over Operation Shufly duties at Da Nang, South Vietnam. It supported South Vietnamese ground operations, trained Republic of Vietnam Air Force helicopter crews, and conducted troop transport, resupply, and medical evacuation. After returning to Vietnam in 1965, the squadron participated in operations including Harvest Moon and Utah. The Purple Foxes nickname was adopted during this period. In 1967 the unit began transitioning to CH-46D Sea Knight aircraft, although some crews temporarily operated UH-34s while CH-46s were being modified and delivered. During 1968, HMM-364 operated from Phu Bai in support of Marine units in northern I Corps, including forces engaged at Khe Sanh and Huế. It later shifted to Marine Aircraft Group 16 at Marble Mountain Air Facility and flew its last Vietnam mission on 16 February 1971. The squadron left Vietnam by the end of that month and was decommissioned on 22 March 1971. Its Vietnam record included nearly 70,000 hours of combat and combat-support flying and earned the unit a Presidential Unit Citation. The squadron was reactivated at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, in September 1984. Its post-reactivation service included Pacific deployments, exercises, contingency support, and humanitarian assistance. It supported relief efforts after the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption, participated in Operation Garden Isle after Hurricane Iniki, and conducted activities connected with exercises and personnel-recovery operations in South Korea, Cambodia, and Thailand. In 1996 it provided executive transport for President Bill Clinton during an inspection of flood damage in Oregon. In 1999 it moved to Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton and joined Marine Aircraft Group 39, beginning preparation for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s contingency-oriented fly-in echelon. The unit deployed repeatedly to Iraq during the Global War on Terror. Its 2003 deployment supported the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and Operation Iraqi Freedom with CH-46E aircraft. The squadron flew casualty evacuation and logistics missions from the opening of combat through the movement of Marine forces from Basra toward Baghdad, then continued humanitarian and sustainment support. The unit returned to Iraq in 2005, 2006–2007, 2008, and 2009–2010. These deployments included serious aircraft losses, including a 2003 resupply accident and the 2006 shoot-down of an aircraft on a casualty-evacuation mission. On 9 October 2014, HMM-364 completed its conversion to the MV-22B Osprey and was redesignated VMM-364. The modern squadron retains the Purple Foxes identity while performing medium-lift tiltrotor missions for the Marine Corps’ expeditionary aviation force.

• 2014

  Redesignated VMM-364

  [1]VMM-364en.wikipedia.org

  The unit transitioned to MV-22B Ospreys and became Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 364.

• 2003

  Deploys for Operation Iraqi Freedom

  [1]VMM-364en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron operated CH-46E aircraft from Kuwait in combat-support, casualty-evacuation, and logistics roles.

• 1999

  Moves to Camp Pendleton

  [1]VMM-364en.wikipedia.org

  HMM-364 moved to its new home at Marine Aircraft Group 39 at Camp Pendleton, California.

• 1984

  Reactivated in Hawaii

  [1]VMM-364en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron was reactivated at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay.

• 1971

  Decommissioned after Vietnam service

  [1]VMM-364en.wikipedia.org

  Following its final Vietnam mission, HMM-364 was decommissioned on 22 March.

• 1967

  Begins CH-46D transition

  [1]VMM-364en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron began receiving Boeing CH-46D Sea Knight medium-lift helicopters.

• 1964

  Begins Operation Shufly assignment

  [1]VMM-364en.wikipedia.org

  HMM-364 relieved HMM-361 at Da Nang and supported South Vietnamese operations.

• 1962

  Redesignated HMM-364

  [1]VMM-364en.wikipedia.org

  After receiving UH-34 helicopters, the unit became Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364.

• 1962

  Supports Operation Dominic

  [1]VMM-364en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron conducted Pacific nuclear-test support, including search and recovery, evacuation, and resupply.

• 1961

  Commissioned as HMR-364

  [1]VMM-364en.wikipedia.org

  Marine Helicopter Squadron 364 was established at Marine Corps Air Facility Santa Ana, California.

An expeditionary United States Marine Corps aviation unit focused on medium-lift transport, ship-to-shore movement, casualty evacuation, logistics, and operational support. Its Purple Foxes identity emphasizes unit heritage rather than commercial branding.

• Tiltrotor aircraft · 2014

  MV-22B Osprey

  The MV-22B is the squadron’s current medium-lift aircraft. Its tilting engine nacelles allow vertical takeoff and landing while enabling faster and longer-range cruise than conventional helicopters. VMM-364 uses the Osprey for expeditionary transport, ship-to-shore movement, casualty evacuation, logistics, and support of Marine ground forces.

• Medium-lift helicopter · 1967

  CH-46E Sea Knight

  The CH-46E was the squadron’s principal medium-lift helicopter during much of its post-Vietnam service and its Global War on Terror deployments. HMM-364 used the aircraft for troop movement, combat resupply, casualty evacuation, and humanitarian support before transitioning to the MV-22B.

• Medium-lift helicopter · 1961

  UH-34D

  The Sikorsky UH-34D was the squadron’s first operational helicopter. It supported Pacific test activities, Operation Shufly, and Vietnam-era combat-support missions including evacuation, resupply, and troop transport.

• 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom

  Iraq · Kuwait

  The squadron deployed CH-46E aircraft to Kuwait and supported the invasion of Iraq with casualty evacuation, logistics, resupply, and direct support to Marine and Royal Marine units.

  Outcome. It continued support after major combat operations and returned to Camp Pendleton in October 2003.

  Source
• 1992Operation Garden Isle

  Hawaii, United States

  HMM-364 conducted humanitarian-relief missions on Kauai after Hurricane Iniki.

  Outcome. The squadron provided aviation assistance during the island’s disaster-response effort.

  Source
• 1991Mount Pinatubo relief operations

  Philippines

  The squadron supported relief activities before, during, and after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo and the resulting destruction.

  Outcome. The unit contributed aviation support to humanitarian response operations in the Philippines.

  Source
• 1966Operation Utah

  South Vietnam

  The squadron supported Marine and allied ground forces during Operation Utah.

  Outcome. HMM-364 continued medium-lift operations before later serving as a Special Landing Force helicopter squadron.

  Source
• 1965Operation Harvest Moon

  South Vietnam

  HMM-364 provided helicopter transport and combat support during Operation Harvest Moon.

  Outcome. The squadron continued its Vietnam deployment and later supported additional operations in I Corps.

  Source
• 1964Operation Shufly

  South Vietnam

  The squadron operated from Da Nang in support of South Vietnamese forces and helped train Republic of Vietnam Air Force helicopter crews.

  Outcome. The squadron completed the assignment and transferred its UH-34 aircraft to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force before returning to Okinawa.

  Source
• 1962Operation Dominic

  Central Pacific

  HMM-364 supported United States nuclear tests from naval vessels by recovering instrument capsules, evacuating personnel, and moving supplies between ships and shore.

  Outcome. The squadron completed its assigned aviation-support functions during the testing period.

  Source

• 2014

  Converts to MV-22B OspreysGeneration change

  Background

  The Marine Corps was replacing CH-46E helicopters with the faster, longer-range MV-22B tiltrotor.

  Action taken

  On 9 October 2014, HMM-364 completed its conversion and was redesignated VMM-364.

  Aftermath

  The squadron entered the Marine Corps tiltrotor force while retaining the Purple Foxes identity and its expeditionary medium-lift mission.

  Source

• 1967

  Transitions toward CH-46D Sea KnightsGeneration change

  Background

  The Marine Corps was replacing older medium helicopters and the squadron required a modern medium-lift platform.

  Action taken

  HMM-364 began receiving CH-46D helicopters while some personnel temporarily supported Vietnam operations with UH-34 aircraft.

  Aftermath

  The CH-46 became the squadron’s principal medium-lift platform for decades, including its Iraq deployments.

  Source

• 1962

  Adopts the medium-helicopter roleStrategy

  Background

  The squadron’s initial UH-34 operations required a medium-lift capability for ship-to-shore movement, evacuation, and logistics.

  Action taken

  The unit was redesignated from HMR-364 to HMM-364 in February 1962.

  Aftermath

  The HMM-364 designation remained in use until the squadron’s transition to tiltrotor aircraft in 2014.

  Source

1. 1VMM-364en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Marine Corps official unit page3rdmaw.marines.mil