HMH-363

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363
VMM-363 Unit insignia
Active	June 2, 1952–present
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron
Role	Assault Support
Part of	Marine Aircraft Group 16 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQ	MCAS Miramar
Nickname(s)	Lucky Red Lions
Tail Code	YZ
Mascot(s)	Lucky the Lion
Engagements	Vietnam War Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom
Commanders
Current commander	LtCol J. T. Hoffmann

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 (VMM-363) is a United States Marine Corps tiltrotor squadron consisting of MV-22B Ospreys. The squadron, known as the "Lucky Red Lions", is based at MCAS Miramar and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Provide assault support of combat troops, supplies and equipment during amphibious operations and subsequent operations ashore. Routinely, VMM squadrons provide the foundation for an aviation combat element (ACE) of any level Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) mission that may include conventional assault support tasks and special operations.

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 the "Lucky Red Lions", was activated on June 2, 1952, at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Ana, California and was designated the Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 363 (HMR-363). It was activated as a result of the demands of the Korean War. In 1953, the unit flew the Sikorsky HRS-1 and during this period took part in Operation Desert Rock, the first atomic test to use ground troops. Soon thereafter, the squadron became the first West Coast helicopter unit to receive the Sikorsky H-34 helicopter. In December 1964, a disastrous flood struck Northern California, and on Christmas Eve, HMM-363 deployed aboard the USS Bennington and rushed northward to the disaster area.