1970-71

Shortly after relocating to Marble Mountain the Squadron replaced their "Hueys" with twenty four new "Cobras", the flight load barely slackened. Meanwhile, pilots and mechanics grappled with the challenge of adapting to the new equipment. However despite poor winter weather, HML-367 broke the 2000 hour mark once again in January, 1970. Less than a month after transitioning to the new aircraft.

On April 24th, 1970 in another show of maintenance magic, the Squadron had all of their twenty five aircraft in an "Up" status. This was the first time a Helicopter Squadron had attained 100% aircraft availability in Vietnam. To celebrate the event, a 25-plane "fly-over" of Marble Mountain was conducted with Plane Captains called on to fill the front seats of all 25 "Cobras".

Total flight time for Fiscal Year 1970 was 22,378 hours. A tribute to the hard work and determination of her maintenance and support personnel who allowed the pilots and aircrews to maintain this rigorous schedule.

In 1970 the history notes, "Grim and dismal weather set the mood for March. A series of mishaps and contact with the enemy resulted in the death of five pilots, and the loss of four aircraft."

HML-367 completed its combat tour in Vietnam in June of 1971, when it departed to relocate at MCAS Futenma, Okinawa. Once established the Squadron began peacetime operations using the UH-1E. Once again a member of Marine Aircraft Group 36, HML-367 continued to establish an impressive record of accomplishment, balancing safety and performance to provide constant support for Okinawa based units.

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Brad Ryti bryti@scarface-usmc.org .

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