VMM-365

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Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365
VMM-365

"Blue Knights"

VMM-365 was activated in 1963 as HMM-365. From 1964-65, HMM-365 formed the aviation element of Operation SHUFLY. During this period, the squadron operated UH-34Ds, outfitted with the TK-1 experimental armament kit, as gunships. After serving in Vietnam (1964-65), the squadron relocated to New River and began operations in support Marine units on the East Coast. HMM-365 was deactivated 1 March 1971.


Since reactivating in 1980, the squadron has participated in numerous deployments to the Mediterranean. During Desert Shield/Desert Storm HMM-365 was part of MAG-40. More recently, HMM-365 has participated in the following operations and exercises: 1999 - ALLIED FORCE, NOBLE ANVIL, JOINT GUARDIAN (Kossovo), SHINING HOPE (Albanian Humanitarian Relief), AVID RESPONSE (Turkish Earthquake Relief); 2000 - EASTERN ACCESS (elements attached to HML/A-269 for SPMAGTF Vieques); 2001-2 ENDURING FREEDOM (Afghanistan); 2003 - Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom.


During 2008, HMM-365 served as the Aviation Combat Element for the 24th MEU, and was deployed to Afghanistan. Upon its return to New River in November, the squadron began preparations for transitioning to the MV-22 "Osprey." On Jan 15, 2009, HMM-365 was redesignated VMM-365 at ceremonies at New River.

LINEAGE

1963 - 1971

Activated 1 July 1963 at Santa Ana, California, as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 and assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 36, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet MarineForce, Pacific.

Deployed during August - October 1964 to Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam, and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.

Participated in the war in Vietnam, October 1964 - August 1965, operating from
Da Nang
USS Princeton

Relocated during August - September 1965 to New River, North Carolina, and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic.

Deployed at various times to the Mediterranean and Caribbean during September 1966 - March 1971.

Deactivated 1 March 1971.

1980 - 1997

Reactivated 5 June 1980 at New River, North Carolina, as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 and assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic.

Reassigned during May 1983 to Marine Aircraft Group 29.

Deployed at various times during the 1980s to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and North Atlantic areas.

Participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Southwest Asia, September 1990 - February 1991.

Participated in Operation Eastern Exit, Somalia, January 1991.

1997-2009

During 1997 participated in Operation Silver Wake (non-combattant evacuation operation) in Albania

During 1999, participated in Operations in Kossovo
Operation Allied Force
Operation Noble Anvil
Operation Joint Guardian

Operation Shining Hope (Albanian Humanitarian Relief)
Operation Avid Response (Turkish Earthquake relief)

During 2000, elements attached to HML/A-269 for SPMAGTF Vieques participated in Operation Eastern Access.

During 2001-2002 deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom

During 2003 participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Served as Aviation Combat Element (ACE) for the 24th MEU and was deployed to Afghanistan

Redesignated 15 Jan 2009 as VMM-365.

UNIT HONORS

PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER with one bronze star
Vietnam
1965

Iraq
2003

NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with 3 bronze stars
Vietnam
1964

Southwest Asia
1990 - 1991

Somalia
1991

1999

MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with 1 silver and 2 bronze stars
1970
1970
1982 - 1983
1992
1994 - 1995
1997
1998
1999

NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER with 3 bronze stars

VIETNAM SERVICE STREAMER with two bronze stars

SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE STREAMER with two bronze stars

KOSSOVO SERVICE STREAMER with two bronze stars

GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER

VIETNAM CROSS of GALLANTRY with PALM STREAMER