HMH-362

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362 (HMH-362) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of ten CH-53D Sea Stallion assault support helicopters and 220 Marines and Sailors. The squadron, known as the "Ugly Angels", was activated on April 30, 1952 as Marine Helicopter Trasport Squadron and is currently based at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii falling under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24) and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW) within III MEF.

Mission

Support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force with assault support transport of combat troops, supplies, and heavy equipment, day or night, under all weather conditions, during expeditionary, joint or combined operations.

History

Vietnam War

The Ugly Angels hold the proud distinction of having served as the first Marine aircraft unit in the Republic of Vietnam, going ashore on 15 April 1962 as Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron Light (HMM) 362 with their Sikorsky UH-34s, arriving at Soc Trang in the Mekong Delta south of Saigon.Dorr (2003), p.200. under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Archie Clapp. The task unit was called "Shufly" and its first operational employment involved lifting Vietnamese troops into battle on April 22. It was the evolution of "Archie’s Angels" to "Ugly Angels" that gave HMM/HMH 362 their well known call sign. HMM 362 served in the Republic of Vietnam until 1969, in...
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