HMLA-367
| Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 | |
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HMLA-367 insignia
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| Active |
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| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Type | Attack |
| Role | Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance |
| Part of | Marine Aircraft Group 24 1st Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay |
| Nickname(s) | Scarface Oakgate (Vietnam War) |
| Motto | "When you are out of Scarface, you are out of guns" (Vietnam) "Hover Cover" |
| Tail Code | VT |
| Engagements | World War II * Battle of Peleliu * Battle of Okinawa Vietnam War Operation Desert Shield Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom * Operation Moshtarak |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
LtCol Humphrey |
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 (HMLA-367) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24) and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW).[1]
Contents
Mission
The mission of HMLA-367 is to support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force MAGTF Commander by providing offensive air support, armed escort and airborne supporting arms coordination, day or night, under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint, or combined operations.
History/Legacy
The Scarface legacy begins during World War II when the squadron was activated as Marine Observation Squadron (VMO) 351 on December 1943 in Quantico, Virginia.
In January of 1944 the squadron was re-designated as VMO-3 and deployed to Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 11 where it took part in the campaigns on Peleliu and Okinawa.
After being deactivated in August of 1949, the squadron was reactivated in August of 1966 for the conflict in the Republic of Vietnam.
It was here that HMLA-367 earned the callsign “Scarface” and was re-designated as HML-367. Scarface was also the first Marine Corps squadron to fly the AH-1G Cobra Attack Helicopter.
Scarface left Vietnam in 1971 and was then stationed on the Island of Okinawa, Japan, but the squadron returned to Vietnam in 1975 to aid in the evacuation of Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees.
In November of 1979, after more than eight years stationed on the island of Okinawa, HML-367 was reassigned to MAG-39, 3D MAW, at Camp Pendleton, CA.
In August 1990, HMLA-367 deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield. When the United States and its allies transitioned to Desert Storm, Scarface supported I MEF with more than 250 combat sorties and over 900 flight hours. During this time, Scarface successfully destroyed 86 T-72 tanks and 23 technical vehicles.
Through the mid-1990s and early 2000s, HMLA-367 deployed for six months at a time every eighteen months to Okinawa in rotation with three other HMLA squadrons.
The final 13 month Okinawa deployment from 2002-03 was followed less than a year later by a deployment to Al Taqaddum, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II (OIF II).
While there, the squadron flew in support of numerous ground units including the 1st Marine Division at the Battle of Fallujah. In the next three years, Scarface would return to Iraq two more times in support of OIF 05-07.2 and OIF 08.1-08.2.
After three deployments to Iraq in only four years, Scarface returned to Camp Pendleton in November of 2008 to transition its Huey pilots to the new UH-1Y, and to prepare for upcoming operations in Afghanistan.
After yet another turnaround of less than a year, HMLA-367 deployed to Afghanistan in October of 2009 to support international security and assistance forces during Operation Enduring Freedom.
The squadron’s skills were again put to the test as Scarface simultaneously provided support for seven infantry battalions and participated in the battles for Marjah and Now Zad in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. In 2012, Scarface moved to its current location of MCBH Kaneohe Bay on island of Oahu in Hawai’i.
The squadron has conducted deployments as part of the 31st MEU and to Okinawa as part of the Unit Deployment.
Contact: 1st MAW Family Readiness Officer Tolondra Johnson DSN: 645-2959 Cell: 080-2737-5420 From CONUS: 011-8198-970-2959
Origins during WWII
HMLA-367 has a long and distinguished record in the United States Marine Corps. Its historical lineage can be traced back to December 1, 1943 when it was activated at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia as Marine Observation Squadron 351 (VMO-351) which was assigned to the Artillery Spotting Division.
In January 1944, the squadron was re-designated as and deployed to Marine Aircraft Group 11 on the island of Espiritu Santo whereupon it took part in the campaigns on Peleliu and Okinawa. The squadron participated in the occupation of North China from October 1945 through June 1947 and was relocated in 1949 to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina and assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The Squadron, having served honorably throughout the Pacific Theater, was deactivated on August 20, 1949.
Vietnam War
As the United States increased its presence in the Republic of Vietnam, the Marine Corps reactivated VMO-3 at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton on 1 August 1966 and assigned it to Marine Wing Support Group 37. The squadron arrived in Vietnam in December 1966 and were now flying the UH-1E. VMO-3 became fully operational at Huế/Phu Bai on 16 January 1967.
In 1966 and for the first half of 1967, the squadron's radio call sign was "Oakgate," which sometimes got confused for the term OK. Major Bill Murphy is credited with first using the call "Scarface" while on TAD, and lobbied to have the substantially more macho Scarface designation adopted as VMO-3's signature when all Marine squadrons in-country changed call signs during the summer of 1967. On November 14, 1967) Major General Bruno Hochmuth, then commanding general of the 3rd Marine Division was killed when a UH-1E Huey from VMO-3 exploded and crashed 5 miles northwest of Huế. Four others also died in this crash.
The squadron assumed a new identity in March 1968 when VMO-3 was re-designated HML-367 and immediately began operations in direct support of ground combat units. Based at Hue and Phu Bai, the squadron flew the Bell UH1E Huey throughout I Corps in support of the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions, the United States Army, and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. In addition to the countless other missions flown they most notably supported Operations Medina, Fortress Ridge, Prairie Fire, Project Delta, Sparrow Hawk, Dewey Canyon, Apache Snow, Swift Saber and Lam Son 719.
In addition to participating in the above operations, the Scarface crews also flew near daily missions in support of MACV-SOG on what were then top secret reconnaissance missions deep into Laos.
Squadron assets quickly grew from eighteen aircraft (UH-1E) to twenty five. In 1969, HML-367 exceeded 2,000 flight hours for the month of June. October 1969 saw the departure of Marine Air Group 36 from the Republic of Vietnam. Due to the continued necessity for armed helicopter support, HML-367 remained in Vietnam and was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16 (Forward) at Phu Bai.
In December 1969, HML-367 began flying the AH-1G Cobra, thus becoming the first operational "Cobra" Squadron in the Marine Corps. Soon after, all the squadron's Hueys were transferred to another squadron (HML-167) and replaced with the Bell AH-1G Cobra.
On April 24, 1970, in another show of maintenance magic, the Squadron had all of their twenty five aircraft in an "Up" status. This was the first time a Helicopter Squadron had attained 100% aircraft availability in Vietnam. To celebrate the event, a 25-plane "fly-over" of Marble Mountain was conducted with Plane Captains called on to fill the front seats of all 25 Cobras. Total flight time for Fiscal Year 1970 was 22,378 hours.
HML-367 completed its combat tour in Vietnam in June 1971, and relocated to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, rejoining MAG-36. Once established, the Squadron began peacetime operations using the UH-1E.
Post Vietnam, 1970s
In April 1975, HML-367(REIN), with nine UH-1E's and twelve CH-46's deployed aboard the USS Midway, the USS Hancock, and to NAS Cubi Point in support of Operations Eagle Pull, Talon Vise and Frequent Wind.
The Squadron participated in the evacuation of Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees from the mainland during both April and May.
In June 1975, HML-367 returned to Okinawa and resumed normal operations. In 1976, the squadron took receipt of the new UH-1N and, in 1977, AH-1J's Cobra gunships.
After more than eight years on the island of Okinawa, HML-367 was reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39), MAW, at Camp Pendleton.
In November 1979, after more than eight years on Okinawa, HML-367 was reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 39 at MCB Camp Pendleton.
The majority of squadron personnel stayed behind, having been transferred to other units of the 1st Marine Air Wing. New personnel were selected fro the parent command, and by August 1981, unit strength was up to 165 men and 16 aircraft.
Another milestone was the conversion of the squadron to its present status as a composite squadron.
1980s & 1990s
During this timeframe the HMLA 367 Marines typically spent approximately six of each eighteen months the squadron split into rotations to Futenma, Okinawa, as well as attached as Det "A" in Subic Bay, Philippines, and as part of an Air Command Element (ACE) aboard an LHA Aircraft Carrier, typically the USS Tarawa while in rotation with two other squadrons also based at MCAS Camp Pendleton.
While not on their rotation overseas, HMLA-367 also supports many major exercises and deploys for training frequently to Twenty-Nine Palms, CA, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, AZ (WTI), Nellis Air Force Base, NV & Naval Air Station Fallon, NV, as well as in support of combined US Navy & USMC security operations aboard the naval warship USS Tarawa LHA-1 and other naval ships for Kernal Usher & Kernel Blitz exercises around the Pacific Coast of California.
Desert Storm/Desert Shield (1st Gulf War)
On 2 August 1990, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein ordered his four elite Iraqi Republican Guard divisions (1st Hammurabi Armoured Division, 2nd al-Medinah al-Munawera Armoured Division, 3rd Tawakalna ala-Allah Mechanized Infantry Division and 4th Nebuchadnezzar Motorized Infantry Division) and Iraqi Army special forces units equivalent to a full division military to invade the sovereign country of Kuwait.
Shortly after the invasion the United Nations Security Council quickly condemned the invasion and drafted resolutions, led by the United States, for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait.
U.S. President George H. W. Bush, who lead the Allied Coalition also responded by deploying components of the United States Military, which included the United States Marine Corps. HMLA-367 was quickly chosen as the Helicopter Marine Light Attack ("HMLA") component for the U.S. Marine Aircraft Group 70 (MAG-70) in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm and immediately deployed.
Scarface arrived in Al Jabail, Saudi Arabia on 15 August 1990, as the first operational U.S. Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron in theater.
During Desert Shield, HMLA-367 Scarface Marines were the very first US Marine Corps Light Attack Helicopter Squadron called into combat and record the very first confirmed & documented kill.
HMLA-367 recorded the first Iraqi tank kill by an AH-1W "Super Cobra" Helicopter during the battle of "Al Elbow" in Southwestern Kuwait on 30 Jan 1991. HMLA-367 also had confirmed kills of military targets during the Battle of "Khafji" on 30–31 January 1991, and during the ground war, "Operation Lonesome Dove", which commenced on 24 February 1991.
HMLA-367 accrued more confirmed kills of tanks (48), armored personnel carriers (24) and other troop transport vehicles, trucks, etc. (23), as well as many other military targets, than any other helicopter squadron in the entire theater of combat operations while the unit operated out of Al Jabail, Tanajib & Khafji, Saudi Arabia, "Operation Lonesome Dove" & the Kuwaiti International Airport, Kuwait.
Throughout Desert Storm/Desert Shield, HMLA-367 Scarface Marines exemplified themselves both in the planning and in the execution phases of the entire air and ground wars, as well as around the clock continued operational readiness.
On 12 April 1991, Scarface concluded operations and began departing Saudi Arabia, returning to Camp Pendleton, California.
HMLA-367 Scarface Marines were all awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 bronze stars, the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), & the Kuwait Liberation Medal ( Kuwait) for their service during Operation Desert Storm & Desert Shield combat operations.
Global War on Terror
With the ongoing War on Terrorism, the squadron has shared seven-month rotations with two other squadrons (HMLA-169 and HMLA-369) to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and in 2009 deployed to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan to support operations in Helmand Province. The seven-month deployment was the first combat deployment of the UH-1Y.
2000's
As of April 2011 "Scarface" HMLA 367 was the first and only squadron in the US military to have both the newest upgraded four-blade rotor UH-1Y "Yankee" Huey utility helicopter and the AH-1Z "Zulu" Cobra gunships along with a state of the art flight simulator for each helicopter.
The upgrade basically takes the regular two blade models, commonly recognized in any Vietnam war movie, adding two more blades, giving the aircraft more power, lift and stability, which is critical with the latest technological advances in weaponry.
Unit awards
A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation. HMLA-367 has been presented with the following awards:
| Ribbon | Unit Award | ||
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Presidential Unit Citation with three Bronze Stars | ||
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Navy Unit Commendation with one Bronze Star | ||
| Meritorious Unit Commendation with two Bronze Stars | |||
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Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars | ||
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World War II Victory Medal | ||
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National Defense Service Medal with two Bronze Stars | ||
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China Service Medal | ||
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Vietnam Service Medal with two Silver Stars and one Bronze Star | ||
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Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Action Medal | ||
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Southwest Asia Service Streamer with two Bronze Stars | August 1990 – February 1991 | Desert Shield, Desert Storm |
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Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) | August 1990 – February 1991 | Desert Shield, Desert Storm |
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Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) | January 17 1991 – February 28 1991 | Desert Shield, Desert Storm |
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Iraq Campaign Medal | ||
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Afghanistan Campaign Medal | ||
| Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
See also
References
Notes
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
Bibliography
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Web
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