MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marine Corps Base Hawaii's Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362 departed back home, Wednesday, after a 6-month unit deployment program here.
The squadron, comprised of more than 120 Marines and Sailors, participated in exercises and operations in the Republic of Philippines, Korea, and throughout Japan.
The helicopter squadron, known as the Ugly Angels, is led by Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Raymond F. L'Heureux. With his leadership, HMH-362 has stood out from any other helicopter squadron in the Marine Corps, according to Cpl. Vincent C. Lucario, HMH-362 air frames technician.
"In the last six months, we have accomplished so much. I know for a fact that no other squadron can get (CH-53 helicopters) up in the air faster than we can," added Lucario.
It does not matter where the helicopter squadron is deployed or what their objective is, they always do their job right and do it fast, according to L'Heureux.
"The Angels always leave a good track record behind wherever we go. I think the reason for that is the unit cohesion we have," said L'Heureux.
The men and women of HMH-362 are a tight-knit group who have experienced a lot together in different landscapes, different cultures and "different worlds," said Lucario.
The Hawaiian squadron deployed to Osan, Korea, twice, and to the Republic of Philippines, twice as well, for Exercise Talon Vision and Exercise Balikatan 2004.
"The deployment that stands out the most to me is Balikatan 2004. It was a good working experience and that is where I got promoted, too," Lucario said.
"Six months is a long time to be away from home, especially for the Marines who have families," said Sgt. Marben Aquino, HMH-362 career retention specialist. "But being able to travel to these different places and experiencing different cultures is amazing.
"And being here in Iwakuni was an experience as well. It's different from any base that I have been to," he said.
The Ugly Angels will be replaced by Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 from Marine Corps Base Hawaii.