Page "HMH-363" Paragraph 2

Marine Heavy Helicopter 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.