Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 (VMM-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 (MAG-24) and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Mission Provide assault support of combat troops, supplies and equipment during amphibious operations and subsequent operations ashore. Routinely, VMM squadrons provide the foundation for an aviation combat element (ACE) of any level Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) mission that may include conventional assault support tasks and special operations. History Early years Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 363 (HMR-363) was activated on 2 June 1952, at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Ana, California as part of Marine Aircraft Group 36 (MAG-36). 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 and rushed northward to the disaster area. Vietnam War On 11 August 1965 the squadron departed the U.S. onboard . The squadron was deployed to Qui Nhon, South Vietnam on 1 September as part of MAG-36. The squadron’s initial troop insert was a combined operation with HMM-161 in moving the 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines into a landing zone south of Da Nang at Marble Mountain. Close ties between HMM-363 and Republic of Korea (ROK) forces were developed in Operation Flying Tiger. The Tiger Division was airlifted to Hill 78 in conjunction with the operation, which was viewed as the most successful Korean offensive of the war to date. At the beginning of 1966 the squadron remained at Qui Nhon under the operational control of the Commanding General, U.S. Field Forces, Vietnam. In early March the squadron supported Operation Utah. On 4 July the squadron became the Special Landing Force (SLF) helicopter squadron aboard . During its time as the SLF squadron it supported Operation Deckhouse II, launched in conjunction with Operation Hastings. In September the squadron supported Operation Deckhouse IV. On 28 September the squadron returned ashore. On 19 January 1967 the squadron returned to SLF duty on Iwo Jima. In mid-February the squadron supported Operation Deckhouse VI. From 20 March the squadron