HMM-362

HMM-362
Unit name	Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 362
Caption	CH-46E Sea Knight supporting operations
Dates	1 March 1952 – present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Role	Medium-lift assault support
Garrison	Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Nickname	"Ugly Angels"
Motto	"Ready When Called"
Colors	Blue and Gold

HMM-362

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 362, nicknamed "Ugly Angels", is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron that has provided medium-lift assault support for United States Marine Corps Aviation, Fleet Marine Force, and joint operations since the early 1950s. The squadron has operated multiple rotary-wing types and participated in major Korean War era postwar deployments, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and numerous humanitarian and contingency operations. HMM-362 has been based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and other installations while assigned to Marine Aircraft Groups and Marine Aircraft Wings during its service life.

History

HMM-362 was activated in 1952 during the postwar expansion that followed the Korean War and was integrated into Marine Aircraft Group 36, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and elements of the Pacific Fleet. During the Vietnam War, the squadron operated from Da Nang Air Base, provided assault support for III Marine Expeditionary Force, and supported operations such as Operation Starlite and Operation Hastings. In the 1990s HMM-362 participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm with deployments to the Persian Gulf and coordination with United States Central Command. In the 2000s the squadron supported Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan while attached to expeditionary units including Marine Expeditionary Unit rotations aboard amphibious ships like USS Peleliu (LHA-5) and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6). The squadron has also taken part in humanitarian missions with partners such as United States Agency for International Development during relief efforts following natural disasters in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Mission and Role

HMM-362’s primary mission is assault support, conducting troop transport, cargo movement, and casualty evacuation in support of Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Marine Expeditionary Unit operations. The squadron provides vertical envelopment capabilities for commanders operating in littoral environments, supporting operations directed by United States Indo-Pacific Command and United States Central Command. Secondary roles have included aerial refueling, command and control coordination with Marine Air Ground Task Force elements, and logistics sustainment during joint operations alongside units such as 1st Marine Division and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Aircraft and Equipment

Over its history the squadron transitioned through several rotorcraft, beginning with the Sikorsky H-34, moving to the Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight family, and later operating the MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor under re-designated units within the Marine Corps aviation modernization effort. The CH-46 variants equipped HMM-362 for shipboard operations with folding rotors and amphibious assault compatibility aboard amphibious assault ships like USS Tarawa (LHA-1). In addition to airframes, the squadron employed avionics suites tied to AN/ARC-210 radios, navigation systems compatible with Global Positioning System, and sling-load equipment interoperable with M777 howitzer transport requirements. Maintenance and logistics were coordinated through Fleet Readiness Centers and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron detachments while integrating safety protocols from Naval Aviation Safety Program guidance.

Deployments and Operations

HMM-362 conducted combat and peacetime deployments across the Western Pacific, South China Sea, and the Persian Gulf. During the Vietnam War the squadron executed air assault missions, CASEVAC missions for units including 1st Marine Division, and supported Operation Linebacker. In the 1991 Gulf War the squadron moved personnel and materiel in support of III Corps-equivalent tasks and maritime pre-positioning operations tied to United States Second Fleet assets. In the post-9/11 era HMM-362 participated in counterinsurgency and stability operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, supporting units such as Regimental Combat Team 5, conducting night operations with night vision systems provided by Naval Air Systems Command, and integrating with coalition partners including forces from the United Kingdom and Australia. The squadron has also supported noncombatant evacuation operations during crises in locations like Haiti and provided disaster relief after events such as the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

Unit Insignia and Traditions

The squadron’s insignia and colors reflect Marine Corps aviation heritage and draw from iconography used across 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and historical Marine helicopter squadrons. The "Ugly Angels" nickname links to squadron lore and morale traditions observed during deployments aboard amphibious ships such as USS Essex (LHD-2), with squadron-level ceremonies coordinated alongside Marine Corps Birthday observances and squadron awards like the Navy Unit Commendation. Flight deck integration procedures follow standards set by United States Navy carrier and amphibious assault protocols, and squadron rituals incorporate references to Marine aviation pioneers such as Gen. Alfred M. Gray Jr..

Notable Personnel and Awards

Personnel from the squadron have included commanding officers who later served in senior positions within Marine Aircraft Group 36, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and joint staffs at United States Indo-Pacific Command. HMM-362 has received unit awards including the Presidential Unit Citation and the Navy Unit Commendation for actions during wartime deployments. Individual squadron members have been recognized with decorations such as the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, and Purple Heart for valor and sacrifice during combat operations in Vietnam and Iraq.

Category:United States Marine Corps aviation squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1952