Program, completing the first of twelve, six-month WestPac deployments on 3 December 1979. During ramp up for the December 1983-June 1984 UDP, the Flying Tigers practiced Rapid Ground refueling (RGR) procedures with HMLA squadrons from Camp Pendleton and conducted field trails with the Hughes Helicopter Night Vision System (HNVS) night system. The squadron also conducted extensive Night Vision Goggle (NVG) training. The goal was to validate night troop transport during the first NVG troop insertion to be conducted at Team Spirit ’84 in South Korea. The squadron also supported the filming of the movie “The Killing Fields” in October at Camp Pendleton. This was requested because at the time the Flying Tigers had two of the few remaining MCAS Tustin based CH-53As that actually flew in Operation Eagle Pull. The Flying Tigers faced disaster at Team Sprit, the exercise involving U.S. and South Korean forces, when in March 1984 a CH-53D mishap took the lives of 18 U.S. and 11 South Korean Marines. The aircraft involved was part of a six-helicopter flight which took off Pohang Airfield for a 'night insertion' exercise as part of Team Spirit. In October 1984 the squadron became the first 3rd MAW helicopter squadron to train under the squadron training exercise and employment plan. Finishing this training in May 1985, HMH-361 attained the highest Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation System (MCCRES) grade to date for a rotary wing squadron. During the squadron's ensuing six WestPac deployments under the UDP, the squadron accomplished the first overwater flight to NAS Cubi Point, Republic of the Philippines. In preparation for their 1985 UDP, the Flying Tigers provided the first four-plane CH-53D detachment to support the 11 MEU (SOC) deployment from Camp Pendleton, CA. Once again, tragedy stuck the squadron shortly after arrival on Okinawa when one of its CH-53Ds on a daytime training flight struck a logging cable, flew into the ground and exploded killing all four aircrew in July 1985. Moving past the mishap, the squadron focused on supporting 1st MAW requirements including providing support for MAG-90 Det “A” at Bear Hunt, Camp Humphreys, South Korea, a Philippines detachment afloat on the USS Dubuque (LPD-8) and a detachment at NAF Atsugi, Japan supporting the offload of the USS Midway in Yokosuka. The Flying Tigers received “Bravo Zulu” (well done) from USS Midway CTF 70, NAF Atsugi, and CG 1st MAW for the successful off load of 845