the spring of 1978, HMM-265 deployed to Kauai's Barking Sands training area to increase combat readiness in preparation for their upcoming Western Pacific deployment. While there, the squadron performed exercises in low terrain flying and troop transportation. In April 1978, HMM-265 embarked onto and departed for the Western Pacific in order to establish first-line-of-defense military presence during the Cold War era. The squadron was away from Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station for six months, during which they completed a training exercises in Cebu, Philippines with additional port calls in Hong Kong and Singapore. The deployment strength for this mission was 12 CH-46s, 4 CH-53s, 2 UH-1Ns, and 2 AH-1Js. After spending a year at home, HMM-265 began preparing for their next deployment by accomplishing a training exercise on the island of Kahoolawe. They spent the first weekend of August 1979 on the island conducting amphibious operations with the Battalion Landing Team, combining the AV-8A Harrier and helicopter operations and conducting exercises on board USS Tripoli. In late August 1979, the squadron deployed again to the Western Pacific on USS Tripoli. Once again under the command of Lt. Col. Donald Klingler, the squadron deployed with the Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) to combine with several additional MAUs to participate in Operation Fortress Gale in Okinawa. Following that, they participated in exercise Kangaroo Three in Northeastern Australia, a joint operation between the squadron, the New Zealand and the Australian military forces. They also visited New Guinea, Hong Kong, Tasmania and Sydney where they celebrated the Marine Corps birthday on 10 November 1979. The deployment strength during this assignment was 12 CH-46s, 4 CH-53s, 2 UH-1Ns, 2 AH-1Js, 2 AV-8As. After the squadron returned home in early February 1980, the reins of the squadron were passed to Lt. Col. William Barba during a change of command ceremony on 22 February. The squadron continued to operate in and out of Kaneohe Bay and the Western Pacific. HMM-265 (REIN) "Dragons" deployed aboard as part of Task Group 76.3/Amphibious Ready Group Alfa/Amphibious Squadron Seven. HMM-265 was equipped with 12 CH-46D Sea Knight and were reinforced by detachments from HMH-463 and 4 CH-53D Sea Stallions, HMA-169 with 4 AH-1T Sea Cobra / 2 UH-1N Hueys from MCAS Camp Pendleton, California and VMA-513 with 6 AV-8A Harriers based out of MCAS Yuma, Arizona. After boarding USS Tarawa, Amphibious Squadron Seven left San Diego on from 14 October 1980, visiting