Marine Light Attack
Helicopter Squadron 369
HMLA-369
"Gunfighters"
In 1972, during Operation Marhuk (MARine HUNter Killer), HMA-369 became the first Marine Corps helicopter squadron to conduct offensive operations against an enemy. The squadron was also the first FMF helicopter squadron to fire the "Zuni" rocket in combat (sorry 169!). The "Gunfighters" were the first Marine squadron on the scene during the Gulf War, and later participated in peacekeeping operations in Somalia. During 2003, HMLA-369 deployed with MAG-39 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lineage
1972-86
H&MS-36 Sub Unit 1 redesignated 1 Apr 1972 as Marine Attack Helicopter Squadron 369.
Activated 1 April 1972 at Futenma, Okinawa, as
Marine Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 and assigned to Marine
Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
Deployed during June 1972 - January 1973 in Far Eastern waters
with the Seventh Fleet.
Participated in the Southeast Asia evacuations, Vietnam, April
1975.
Relocated during April 1977 to Camp Pendleton, California, and
reassigned to Detachment Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3d Marine
Aircraft Wing.
Reassigned during July - August 1978 to Marine Aircraft Group
39.
Participated in numerous training exercises throughout the 1970s
and 1980s.
Participated in the Unit Deployment Program between the 1st
Marine Aircraft Wing on Okinawa and the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing
in the United States during the 1980s.
1986-2006
Redesignated 15 September 1987 as Marine Light Attack Helicopter
Squadron 369.
Participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm,
Southwest Asia, August 1990 - March 1991.
Participated in Operation Restore Hope, Somalia,
December 1992 - April 1993.
Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003.
Honors
PRESIDENTIAL UNIT
CITATION
Iraq
2003
JOINT MERITORIOUS UNIT AWARD STREAMER
Somalia
1992 - 1993
NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with 4 bronze
stars
Vietnam
1972 - 1973
1975
Southwest Asia
1990 - 1991
1993
2002-2003
MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER
1986 - 1988
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER with 2 bronze
star
ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER with 1 bronze
star
VIETNAM SERVICE STREAMER with 1 bronze star
SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE STREAMER with 2 bronze
stars
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER
- Nicknames: "Pistol Petes" (Vietnam); "Marhukers" (Vietnam); "Gunfighters"
- ID Code: SM 1972-
- Aircraft: AH-1J/W; UH-1N
- Squadron Web Pages:
HMLA-369