HMA-369 Det B Hawaii

[hma1369]

I came across an online listing of the Navy "Allowance & Location of Naval Aircraft" and it lists a HMA-369 Det B located at MCAS Kaneohe Bay from 1974 to 1977. It appears that the det was authorized 6 AH-1Js but 0 were assigned, and H&MS-24 seems to have had actual custody of the aircraft. Does anyone have any more info?

The listing is at http://www.history.navy.mil/a-record/alna69-80.htm

[Topmac161]

There were 6 Cobra j models attached to H&MS 24 along with UH1Es, which we replaced with UH1Ns, 6 OV10s, 6 TA4Js or Ms and a C-117. I was the Line chief and in 76/77 we broke up the line , sent the OV's back to Pendleton I believe, The A4's went to the bone yard along with the C-117 and the UHs and AHs joined HMM-262 and then the AH's went to Pendleton or Okinowa and the UHs joined HMH-463. I was there from 74 to 78 and we went to the big Island several times to the Army camp for 3 to 4 week deployment. One of my Cobras was sent to replace the one lost during Frequent Wind and we lost one Cobra and one H1 on the Big Island. Capt. Max Cranford was killed in the Cobra. I may even have the BUNO's somewhere. Was a great tour. Semper Fi..Bill McMillian

[hma1369]

Thanks Bill! That's exactly the info I was looking for.

AHs joined HMM-262 and then the AH's went to Pendleton or Okinowa

I think they may have gone to HMA-369 which was reforming Apr 77. When I got back from the Okinawa deployment in Jan 78 the squadron had several of the older Js "from overseas".

[GABE]

there were 6 cobra j models attached to h&ms 24 along with uh1es, which we replaced with uh1ns, 6 ov10s, 6 ta4js or ms and a c-117. I was the line chief and in 76/77 we broke up the line , sent the ov's back to pendleton i believe, the a4's went to the bone yard along with the c-117 and the uhs and ahs joined hmm-262 and then the ah's went to pendleton or okinowa and the uhs joined hmh-463. I was there from 74 to 78 and we went to the big island several times to the army camp for 3 to 4 week deployment. One of my cobras was sent to replace the one lost during frequent wind and we lost one cobra and one h1 on the big island. Capt. Max cranford was killed in the cobra. I may even have the buno's somewhere. Was a great tour. Semper fi..bill mcmillian

the cobra sent to replace the one lost in frequent wind went to hmh-462. The crew sent to get the plane had painted shark teeth on the front to make it look good but that did not last long.

Gabe
bob gabelein
hmh-462
cobra's