ABOUT HMM-364
- Nickname "Purple Foxes": HMM-364 is famously known as the "Purple Foxes," a moniker inspired by the purple paint on their helicopters' tails, making them one of the most recognizable helicopter units in the US Marine Corps.
- Vietnam War Legacy: Activated in 1961, HMM-364 played a crucial role in the Vietnam War, conducting troop insertions, medevacs, and resupply missions under intense enemy fire.
- "Give a Shit" Patch: The unit is known for their unofficial "Give a Shit" morale patch, symbolizing the care and commitment of the crews to each other and the mission.
- Operation Frequent Wind: HMM-364 participated in Operation Frequent Wind in April 1975, the largest helicopter evacuation in history, helping evacuate Americans and South Vietnamese from Saigon.
- Aircraft Flown: The squadron originally flew the Sikorsky UH-34D "Seahorse" before transitioning to the Boeing CH-46 Sea Knight, and later becoming VMM-364 with the MV-22B Osprey.
- Unit Deactivation and Reactivation: HMM-364 was deactivated in 1971 after the Vietnam War, but the unit was later reactivated in 1984 at Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, California.
- Motto "Give a Shit": Their unofficial motto reflects their ethos of never leaving a fellow Marine behind, even under the most dangerous conditions.
- Decorations: HMM-364 received multiple Presidential Unit Citations, Navy Unit Commendations, and other awards for extraordinary heroism and service.
- Operation Iraqi Freedom: The squadron served in Iraq, providing critical assault support, casualty evacuations, and resupply missions during the Iraq War.
- Transition to Tiltrotor: In 2014, HMM-364 was redesignated as VMM-364 and began flying the MV-22B Osprey, becoming part of the new era of Marine Corps aviation.