page_title: VMM-363
section_title: Early years
hierarchical_section_title: VMM-363 / History / Early years
caption_attribution_description: A U.S. Marine Corps Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse helicopter (BuNo 148788) from Marine medium helicopter transport squadron HMM-363 Red Lions flies through Black Star Canyon, California (USA), on 13 April 1964. HMM-363 was based at Marine Corps Air Station Tustin.
context_page_description: Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 is a United States Marine Corps tiltrotor squadron consisting of MV-22B Ospreys. The squadron, known as the "Lucky Red Lions", is based at MCB Hawaii and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 24 and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
context_section_description: Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 the "Lucky Red Lions", was activated on June 2, 1952, at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Ana, California and was designated the Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 363 (HMR-363).  It was activated as a result of the demands of the Korean War.  In 1953, the unit flew the Sikorsky HRS-1 and during this period took part in Operation Desert Rock, the first atomic test to use ground troops.  Soon thereafter, the squadron became the first West Coast helicopter unit to receive the Sikorsky H-34 helicopter.  In December 1964, a disastrous flood struck Northern California, and on Christmas Eve, HMM-363 deployed aboard the USS Bennington and rushed northward to the disaster area.
caption: A UH-34D from HMH-363 flying near MCAS Tustin in 1964.
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