HMLA-367 replaces HMLA-469
On 16 December 2022, during a sunset and sunrise ceremony at Camp Pendleton MCB, Munn Field (CA), the US Marine Corps deactived Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 469 Vengeance ('SE-xx') and reactived Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 367 Scarface ('VT-xx'). This restructuring is in line with the Force Design 2030 (FD2030) initiative driven to reshape and enhance USMC aviation.
Force Design 2030 directs the divestment of two light attack helicopter squadrons across the USMC. Within the Air Combat Element (ACE), the USMC will accomodate five Light Attack Helicopter Squadrons (HMLA). The total FD2030 programme reallocates funding for other areas of interest to increase lethality for today’s and tomorrow’s threats.
HMLA-367 is one of the two units that (temporarily) stood down at Kaneohe Bay MCAF, MCB Hawaii, Marion E. Carl Field (HI) in April 2022. HMLA-469 was the youngest HMLA squadron within the 3rd MAW and operated the Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter and UH-1Y Venom battlefield utility helicopter. Following the standdown of HMLA-469, HMLA-367, which dates back to World War II and was temporarily stood down at Kaneohe Bay, unfurled its storied flag here under Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW).
According to the Scramble Magazine Air Order of Battle, the USMC operates the following Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadrons. From the eight (seven plus one training unit) squadrons still reported as active, another two will stand down in the coming years. Scramble assumes that the training unit is left out of the number of future HMLA units.
HMLA-269 Gun Runners ('HF-xx') was deactivated at New River MCAS on 7 November 2022.
Photo by Lance Cpl. Courtney Robertson/3rd MAW (via dvidshub.net)