Stories

A crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 “Gunfighters” communicates with pilots during a live-fire demonstration on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 1. The unit conducted the demonstration as a part of HMLA-369’s 45th Anniversary celebration and family day. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jake M.T. McClung/Released) - A crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 “Gunfighters” communicates with pilots during a live-fire demonstration on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 1. The unit conducted the demonstration as a part of HMLA-369’s 45th Anniversary celebration and family day. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jake M.T. McClung/Released)

As part of the annual training exercise Scorpion Fire, Lance Cpl. Clinton Lehner, a crew chief with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 “Gunfighters,” looks down range during close-air support maneuvers at the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range, Calif., Jan. 29. Marines with both tiltrotor and fixed-wing squadrons participate in this annual exercise, which provides a realistic environment for ground units in need of close air support. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brendan King) - As part of the annual training exercise Scorpion Fire, Lance Cpl. Clinton Lehner, a crew chief with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 “Gunfighters,” looks down range during close-air support maneuvers at the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range, Calif., Jan. 29. Marines with both tiltrotor and fixed-wing squadrons participate in this annual exercise, which provides a realistic environment for ground units in need of close air support. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brendan King)

Members of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 “Gunfighters,” walk to a UH-1Y Huey before a familiarization flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 16. Pilots and crews fly with the aircraft as often as possible to build proficiency that would benefit Marines on the ground should they ever need their support. - Members of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 “Gunfighters,” walk to a UH-1Y Huey before a familiarization flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 16. Pilots and crews fly with the aircraft as often as possible to build proficiency that would benefit Marines on the ground should they ever need their support.

Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, prepares to fly in the cockpit of a UH-1Y Huey during a familiarization flight with the Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 369 “Gunfighters” aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 8. The commanding general flies with the squadron one or two times each year to ensure he is familiar with all mission essential information. - Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, prepares to fly in the cockpit of a UH-1Y Huey during a familiarization flight with the Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 369 “Gunfighters” aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 8. The commanding general flies with the squadron one or two times each year to ensure he is familiar with all mission essential information.

Marines greet the last Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 flight section on the flight line aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, May 15. HMLA-469 assumed control of combat operations in a midnight transfer of authority ceremony, marking the end of HMLA-369 "Gunfighter" combat in Afghanistan. - Marines greet the last Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 flight section on the flight line aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, May 15. HMLA-469 assumed control of combat operations in a midnight transfer of authority ceremony, marking the end of HMLA-369 "Gunfighter" combat in Afghanistan.

Maj. Gen. Andrew O'Donnell Jr., Commanding General of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, addresses Marines and Sailors with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 before a rededication ceremony aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, April 17, 2012. The HMLA-369 "Gunfighters" mounted a memorial plaque and renamed their flight line "Camp Weis," in honor of fallen AH-1W Super Cobra pilot Maj. James "Weasel" Weis, who was killed in action while performing close-air-support for infantry Marines in 2010. - Maj. Gen. Andrew O'Donnell Jr., Commanding General of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, addresses Marines and Sailors with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 before a rededication ceremony aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, April 17, 2012. The HMLA-369 "Gunfighters" mounted a memorial plaque and renamed their flight line "Camp Weis," in honor of fallen AH-1W Super Cobra pilot Maj. James "Weasel" Weis, who was killed in action while performing close-air-support for infantry Marines in 2010.

Lt. Col. Michael Moore, the commanding officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), cases the squadron battle colors during a transfer of authority ceremony at the Camp Bastion flightline Nov. 14. During the ceremony HMLA-369 relinquished authority to HMLA-169, 3rd MAW (Fwd). HMLA-369 flew more than 17,643 hours and more than 12,869 sorties with the AH-1W Cobras and UH-1Y Hueys combine during their seven month deployment. - Lt. Col. Michael Moore, the commanding officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), cases the squadron battle colors during a transfer of authority ceremony at the Camp Bastion flightline Nov. 14. During the ceremony HMLA-369 relinquished authority to HMLA-169, 3rd MAW (Fwd). HMLA-369 flew more than 17,643 hours and more than 12,869 sorties with the AH-1W Cobras and UH-1Y Hueys combine during their seven month deployment.