Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369

Gunfighters, tail code SM formed at Okinawa (Japan) in Apr 1972 initially as HMA-369, in preparation for shipping interdiction operations around North Vietnam. It returned to Okinawa in Jan 1973 and saw service in the evacuation of Saigon. In Apr 1977 it moved to Camp Pendleton, Ca., back to Okinawa in Oct 1983 and returned to Camp Pendleton where it later provided a VIP service during the 1984 Olympic Games and deployed briefly to Hong Kong supporting a vice-presidential visit to China in Oct 1985. During 1987 the UH-1N joined the strength and the AH-1J Sea Cobras were largely exchanged for the more capable AH-1W and the unit was redesignated HMLA-369. In Dec 1992 the unit moved to Baledogle as part of US operations with the UN in Somalia. In Feb 1993 they moved to Mogadishu and then in Apr 1993 returned to the USA, followed by several detatchments back to Okinawa between 1995 and 1997. Apr 1998 saw The Gunfighters back at Camp Pendleton.

on 1 Aug 1990 HMLA 369 Gunfighters Arrived in Dharan Suadi Arabia for Operation Desert Sheild. 19 Nov 1990 Operation Imminent Thunder. 17 Jan 1991 Operation Desert Storm.