U.S. Marine Gentle Assault Helicopter Squadron 369 (HMLA-369), stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan executed a mass formation launch generally known as a “Fly the Barn,” occasion in help of the squadron’s required annual coaching on April twenty ninth, 2022. The occasion included 7 AH-1Z Cobra and 5 UH-1Y Huey helicopters launching as a single flight from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and follow-on tactical coaching performed throughout the assigned coaching areas of Okinawa. For this iteration of the “Fly the Barn” occasion, the squadron was capable of conduct all regular and required coaching occasions for each its plane and Marines within the single flight of 12 helicopters.
“Since we deployed to Okinawa, the Marines and sailors of HMLA-369 have been working onerous to boost our lethality by way of practical coaching and excessive plane readiness. We’re not simply flying the barn for the sake of it. We’re leveraging, and displaying, our full warfighting functionality by using your entire squadron within the distributed maritime and littoral atmosphere. This occasion highlights the true worth of the HMLA – to III MEF, USINDOPACOM and our allies throughout the area – as a risk-worthy, low-signature, persistent and extremely deadly fight aviation unit.” mentioned Lt. Col. Gregory Youngberg, Commanding Officer of HMLA-369.
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Marine Gentle Assault Helicopter Squadron 369 (HMLA-369) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1Z Viper assault helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. The squadron, also referred to as the “Gunfighters”, is predicated at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California and falls below the command of Marine Plane Group 39 (MAG-39) and the third Marine Plane Wing (third MAW). HMA-369 was activated on April 1, 1972, at Marine Corps Air Station Futema, later Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, assigned to Marine Plane Group 36, 1st Marine Plane Wing.
1st Marine Plane Wing (1st MAW) operations are performed in accordance with bilateral agreements to make sure a free and open Indo-Pacific area whereas assembly U.S. treaty obligations with the nation of Japan. The profitable launch of 12 helicopters as a single flight as a part of HMLA-369’s required coaching affirms to the Indo-Pacific forces that 1st MAW stays proficient, prepared, and ahead postured because the III Marine Expeditionary Pressure’s air fight ingredient. The wing is headquartered at Camp Foster on the island of Okinawa, Japan. Activated in 1940, the wing has seen heavy fight operations throughout World Struggle II, the Korean Struggle and the Vietnam Struggle.
