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Flying Tigers return home in time for holidays

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 12/18/2003

Story by Cpl. James S. McGregor

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.(Dec. 19, 2003) -- The 200-plus Marines of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 returned to Miramar from a five-month unit deployment program Saturday.

The tour that started in Okinawa, Japan in June, when the advanced party arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, also took Marines to exercises in Korea and the Philippines. Others supported the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable).

According to 1st Lt. Lyle L. Gordon, S-5 and S-6 officer, HMH-361, the advanced party arrived in June and the main body was on the island by July. Four CH-53Es were sent to support the 31st MEU (SOC), and the rest of the squadron prepared for their first major deployment.

The squadron spent part of August and September in Korea during Exercise Millennium Edge, where they supported Exercise Ulchi Focus Lens. During the exercise, Marines supported and trained with Republic of Korea Marines as well as Army aviation units, Gordon said.

In October the tigers deployed to the Philippines where they took part in Exercise Talon Vision, a combined exercise during which HMH-361 performed training evolutions to include gunshots, aerial refueling, inserts and night flying.

Between deployments, the tigers conducted training in picking up external loads and formation flying, Gordon continued.

"A lot of the UDP was training and getting pilots comfortable," Gordon explained. "We spent a lot of time getting new people spun up because we had a lot of new guys come to the squadron right before we left for the UDP."

Gordon added that aside from getting new Marines settled in, the main obstacle was maintaining aircraft.

"We had 12 aircraft to start with and by the end of the UDP we had 10 up and running. We were able to support the mission, which is a big accomplishment because when we got there we didn't have many birds ready to go, and some needed maintenance," Gordon said. "The maintenance department could have been show-stoppers, but they kept things going and made it possible for everyone to accomplish the mission."

According to Gunnery Sgt. Bret L. Painter, quality assurance representative, HMH-361, another difficulty during the deployment was an accelerated schedule.

"It was a five-month UDP, which is usually six months, and the op tempo is always high, but we had less time to do everything that needed to be done," Painter explained. "During the first two to three weeks things were slowed down a little because we had Marines coming in from different units. After the first two to three weeks something happened and everyone just clicked. The Marines did an outstanding job, especially given the timeline they had to work with," the Phoenix native added.

Gordon said it was great to be able to have the squadron return before the holidays so the Marines could be with their families - something they earned through their hard work during the UDP.

"It's a plus for the families and it's good to be in the states where we can see our families," Gordon said. "The success of this UDP heavily depended on the sergeants, staff sergeants and (gunnery sergeants) to teach the younger guys - without strong leadership in the enlisted ranks you won't get much accomplished, and we had (gunnery sergeants) out there doing maintenance on the birds, showing young Marines how to do their jobs. They were professional and represented the United States and Marine Corps well."