Provide assault support of combat troops, supplies and equipment during amphibious operations and subsequent operations ashore. Routinely, VMM squadrons provide the foundation for an aviation combat element (ACE) of any level Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) mission that may include conventional assault support tasks and special operations.
On 11 August 1965 the squadron departed the U.S. onboard USS Princeton.[2]: 92 The squadron was deployed to Qui Nhon, South Vietnam on 1 September as part of MAG-36.[3] The squadron’s initial troop insert was a combined operation with HMM-161 in moving the 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines into a landing zone south of Da Nang at Marble Mountain. Close ties between HMM-363 and Republic of Korea (ROK) forces were developed in Operation Flying Tiger. The Tiger Division was airlifted to Hill 78 in conjunction with the operation, which was viewed as the most successful Korean offensive of the war to date.
At the beginning of 1966 the squadron remained at Qui Nhon under the operational control of the Commanding General, U.S. Field Forces, Vietnam.[4]: 261 In early March the squadron supported Operation Utah.[4]: 110 On 4 July the squadron became the Special Landing Force (SLF) helicopter squadron aboard USS Iwo Jima.[4]: 305 During its time as the SLF squadron it supported Operation Deckhouse II, launched in conjunction with Operation Hastings.[4]: 168 In September the squadron supported Operation Deckhouse IV.[4]: 188 On 28 September the squadron returned ashore.[4]: 347
On 9 February 1968 the squadron became the SLF Alpha helicopter squadron.[6]: 719 On 26 March following a rocket attack, five squadron members were wounded and required medical evacuation. During the flight up the coast the medevac helicopter lost its engine and crashed killing seven people including the commanding officer. On 15 April the squadron returned ashore under the control of MAG-36.[6]: 719 On 6 September the squadron again became the SLF Alpha helicopter squadron.[6]: 636 On 7 December the squadron returned ashore under MAG-36 at Phu Bai Combat Base.[6]: 639
On 21 January 1969, the squadron was redeployed back to the U.S..[7] It was redesignated Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 36 (HMH-363) after having received the Sikorsky CH-53A transport helicopter.
Post-Vietnam
In October 1972, the squadron was the first unit to receive the powerful CH-53D. In March 1977, the squadron was selected to participate in the operational evaluation of the USS Tarawa, the first of the new large and modern amphibious ships. In early 1983, the squadron was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation.
The Squadron provided relief efforts and humanitarian support in the Philippines following a devastating earthquake and flood in 1990. HMH-363 flew countless missions and over 500 flight hours in 3½ weeks, delivering food, clothing, and shelter to inhabitants living in remote areas of the Philippines. The squadron received the Humanitarian Service Medal for its relief effort.
CH-53D Sea Stallions from HMH-363 on the flightline at MCB Hawaii on January 12, 2006.
HMH-363 was deactivated on 10 May 2012 at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The squadron was then re-designated VMM-363 and activated as an MV-22B Osprey Squadron aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar as part of Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Upon activating in 3rd MAW VMM-363 would go on to serve three combat deployments in the Central Command Area of Responsibility before moving back to MCB Hawaii.
