In 1990, HML-776 was called to active duty in support of Operation Desert Storm and was deployed to Okinawa to fill a gap in forces left by the deployment of active duty forces to Southwest Asia. In 1991, while assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 36, HML-776 was sent to the Philippines to assist in relief operations following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo. The squadron returned to NAS Glenview in 1991 and returned to reserve status. In 1994, as part of the reorganization of the Marine Forces Reserve, HML-776 was deactivated. The squadron's personnel and aircraft were transferred to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, and formed HMLA-773, Detachment A.