Description

VMM-364 Purple Foxes Blackout PVC

Aviators! Enjoy this VMM-364 Purple Foxes Blackout PVC with Hook and Loop

3.5 inch
PVC
US Veteran-Owned Business

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 364 (VMM-364) is a United States Marine Corps medium-lift tiltrotor squadron consisting of MV-22B Ospreys. The squadron, known as the “Purple Foxes”, is based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).

Mission
Provide utility combat helicopter support to the landing force in the ship to shore movement and in subsequent operations ashore.

Global War on Terror
In 2003, HMM-364 was tasked with preparing for a possible deployment to Kuwait in support of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

By the end of February, the squadron was off loaded, and all twelve CH-46E helicopters flown to Ali Al Salem Air Base. In conjunction with MAG-39 and its augments, HMM-364 began mission planning and rehearsals for combat operations against Iraq.

An HMM-364 CH-46 over southern Iraq in 2003
Operation Iraqi Freedom commenced on the evening of March 20, 2003, following preliminary strikes by coalition forces and Ground to Ground Missile attacks by Iraqi forces on Ali Al Salem Air Base. HMM-364 was involved from the first night, supporting attacks by the 1st Marine Division’s Regimental Combat Team 7, as well as the Royal Marines’s 42 Commando. Squadron aircrews conducted Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) missions in direct support of RCT-7 Headquarters for the duration of the war, traveling with the 1st Marine Division from Basra to downtown Baghdad. HMM-364 aircraft also flew Logistical Support throughout the theater, flying over 640 hours in combat and direct combat support per month for both March and April.

With the end of combat operations in Iraq on April 17, HMM-364 continued to fly CASEVAC and Logistical Support for the Marine Corps humanitarian aid work underway on the behalf of the Iraqi people. HMM-364 returned to MCB Camp Pendleton in October 2003. During this deployment, one of the squadron’s aircraft was lost during a resupply mission crashing into a canal. All four aircrew members were lost – Captain Andrew Lamont, First Lieutenant Timothy Ryan, Staff Sergeant Aaron White, Lance Corporal Jason Moore and one Marine Sergeant Kirk Straseskie, who was not affiliated with the squadron, tragically drowned in his attempted rescue of the crew members. Several other Marines witnessing the down aircraft also leaped in the canal to attempt to rescue their fellow Marines. The hasty rescue was not successful and several rescuers suffered minor non-combat injuries.

The squadron deployed again to Iraq in the early months of 2005. Their third deployment to Iraq came in the summer of 2006 and they returned home in early 2007. During this deployment one of the squadron’s aircraft was shot down during a CASEVAC mission resulting in the death of four squadron members, a Marine from another unit and two navy corpsmen.[12]

The squadron’s fourth deployment to Iraq occurred from early spring of 2008 until the fall of the same year.

The squadron’s fifth and final deployment to Iraq came in late 2009. They returned safety in early 2010 having successfully completed their mission.[13]

On October 9, 2014, HMM-364 transitioned to the MV-22B Osprey and thus was redesignated as VMM-364.[14]

Notable former members