The US Marine Corps has reactivated a squadron to serve as its 17th active-component Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM), flying the MV-22B Osprey. The squadron will grow to full strength in aircraft and personnel over the next year. The unit retains the nickname “Ugly Angels.”

In its previous iteration as Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362, the unit was based at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The squadron last flew CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters. It was deactivated on Nov. 30, 2012, as the Marine Corps’ last CH-53D squadron.

The reactivation represents a resumption of growth in the VMM community that was temporarily interrupted by the deactivation of a new VMM squadron in 2012. The activation of another squadron, VMM-562, was cancelled during that era.

In addition to the 17 active-component VMM squadrons, the Corps also fields two Reserve-component VMM squadrons.