HMLA - 775 Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775 ( HMLA - 775 ) was a reserve United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH - 1W SuperCobra attack helicopters and UH - 1N Huey utility helicopters . The squadron was based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton , California and fell under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 46 ( MAG - 46 ) and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing ( 4th MAW ) . The detachment / squadron team functioned in the same manner as that of its active duty counterparts minus the regular overseas deployments . To enhance the squadron ' s readiness and demonstrate its versatility , HMLA - 775 also participated in anti - drug operations in conjunction with Federal Agencies in locations such as Key West , Florida , Bahamas , Puerto Rico , Nassau , South America , California , and Jamaica . History . Early years . Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 775 ( HMR - 775 ) was activated September 2 , 1958 at Naval Air Station Niagara Falls , New York , and assigned to Marine Air Reserve Training Command . Initial strength at activation was 2 officers . HMR - 775 relocated to NAS Willow Grove , effective February 28 , 1959 . During this period HMR - 775 operated the Piasecki HUP - 2 " Retriever " . HMR - 775 was redesignated Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 775 ( HMM - 775 ) on 1 April 1962 , and assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 46 , 4th Marine Aircraft Wing . HMM - 775 was deactivated September 30 , 1962 . In March 1988 , the first personnel and aircraft of what would eventually become Marine Aircraft Group 46 Detachment E , Marine Attack Helicopter Squadron 775 began arriving at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton , California . On January 7 , 1989 the unit was commissioned as MAG - 46 Det E , HMA - 775 , MALS - 46 Det E became a complement of eight 1968 model AH - 1J ' s . This was the standup of the first Reserve Cobra Squadron on the west coast . The squadron became complete with 12 vintage AH - IJ SeaCobra helicopters . On December 1 , 1990 , HMA - 775 and its 12 AH - 1J Cobras , was activated for deployment to Southwest Asia . The unit deployed to Southwest Asia on January 5 , 1991 to Jubail , Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm . The " Coyotes " participated in every major battle from Khafji to the final assault on Kuwait City , flying over 970 combat hours and accumulating 641 combat sorties . The squadron then remained in - country , in support of Operation Desert Comfort . By May 15 , 1991 the final personnel and aircraft arrived back at MCB Camp Pendleton . In May 1992 the squadron received the first eight of what would eventually total 12 AH - 1W Super Cobras . A flash flood struck the Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton in January 1993 . The aircraft and building spaces suffered severe damage . The first aircraft flew again on February 25 . By mid - April , the squadron had moved into new temporary spaces and all aircraft were flying . During the July change of command , the " Coyotes " were awarded the Ensign Pierce Award for being the Marine Air Reserve Helicopter Squadron of the year in 1992 . HMLA - 775 was attached to its active counterpart Mag - 46 Det A ( Detachment Alpha ) who flew , maintained and operated the squadron on a daily basis . This small active component was responsible for the training and support of HMLA - 775 during their drill weekends , active periods and unit activations for wartime deployment . On May 10 , 1994 the Squadron moved into a new hangar - their first permanent home at Camp Pendleton . On June 18 , six UH - 1N Huey utility helicopters were added to inventory and on August 6 , the squadron was officially redesignated Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775 ( HMLA - 775 ) , thus becoming the first HMLA in the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing . The Squadron functioned in the same manner as that of its active duty counterparts minus deploying overseas on the Marine Expeditionary Unit or regularly rotated stations . To enhance the squadron ' s readiness and demonstrate its versatility , HMLA - 775 also participated in anti - drug and Border Patrol operations in support of Federal Agencies in locations such as Key West , FL , Bahamas , Puerto Rico , Nassau , South America , California , Oregon , Idaho , Arizona , New Mexico , Texas , Nevada , and Jamaica . Global War on Terror . HMLA - 775 deployed with its sister squadron HMLA - 775 Det A ( out of Johnstown , Pa ) , in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom two times . The first time was early 2004 when they flew in support of the I Marine Expeditionary Force . The bulk of their flying during this time was providing close air support in and around the city of Fallujah during Operation Vigilant Resolve and follow - on operations . HMLA - 775 redeployed to Iraq in early 2005 to provide close air support for the II Marine Expeditionary Force . Decommissioning . On September 6 , 2008 , HMLA - 775 was decommissioned after 20 years of faithful service .