A Marine helicopter squadron that was based at Kaneohe Bay before it was disbanded eight years ago has been reactivated at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station in North Carolina.

Nicknamed the “;Hammerheads,”; Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 has eight CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters and about 111 Marines. The Associated Press reported that the squadron is expected to grow to 340 Marines and 16 helicopters by October 2009. The squadron commander is Lt. Col. James F. Harp.

Marine officials said the unit's reactivation was part of the service's authorization to increase the number of Marines by 27,000 to 202,000.

The official insignia features a hammerhead shark swimming around a front view of a Super Stallion. “;I think it's important to remember your history,”; said Brig. Gen. Robert S. Walsh, commanding general of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Tuesday's ceremony. Walsh said the new HMH-366 wanted to recognize their Hawaiian roots. “;It's one of the things at Hawaii that's prevalent,”; Walsh said. “;We did some research and found that the Hammerhead is most prevalent off the coast of North Carolina.”;

  William Moore, vice president of Kohala Ranch Development Corp., has been named as a civilian aide to the secretary of the Army, replacing Paula Z. Helfrich, who has represented the Big Island since 2007. She recently resigned to accept an educational administrator position in Asia. Civilian aides are selected by the secretary of the Army to serve as liaison between the Army and the civilian community.

From 1989-1990 Moore served as deputy planning director for the County of Hawaii. In 1988, he served as executive assistant to the chairman of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

He is a graduate of Hilo High School and Beloit College in Wisconsin.