Official HMLA-773 Red Dog White Patch

Official HMLA-773 Red Dog White Patch — Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 Embroidered Patch

The Red Dogs of HMLA-773—the Marine Corps Reserve's only light attack helicopter squadron, standing ready to unleash Vipers and Venoms from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and NAS JRB New Orleans.

Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 (HMLA-773), the "Red Dogs," is the only light attack helicopter squadron in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 49, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. The squadron maintains detachments at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey (Detachment A) and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana (Detachment B), providing a strategic reserve of AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters that can be mobilized to augment active-duty HMLA squadrons in times of crisis or conflict.

HMLA-773 was originally activated on 1 November 1977 as HMA-773, a Marine attack helicopter squadron flying the AH-1J Sea Cobra. The squadron has evolved through multiple redesignations as the Marine Corps' light attack helicopter community has matured, transitioning from the AH-1J to the AH-1W Super Cobra and eventually to the current AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom pairing. As a Reserve squadron, HMLA-773's Marines are citizen-warriors who maintain their combat aviation proficiency while serving in civilian careers, drilling one weekend per month and two weeks per year while standing ready for mobilization.

The Red Dogs have been mobilized and deployed in support of multiple operations, providing augmentation to active component HMLA squadrons during Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. The squadron's reserve aviators and maintainers bring a unique depth of experience to the fight—many having previously served on active duty with fleet HMLA squadrons before transitioning to the reserve component. Operating under 4th MAW, HMLA-773 ensures the Marine Corps maintains a surge capability in rotary-wing light attack aviation that can be called upon whenever the nation needs additional helicopter firepower.

Perfect For: HMLA-773 Red Dog members and veterans, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing reservists, MAG-49 personnel, Marine Corps Reserve aviation community members, AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom enthusiasts, and supporters of citizen-warrior aviators.

The Red Dogs—the Marine Corps Reserve's light attack helicopter squadron, always ready to answer the call and bring Viper and Venom firepower to the fight.