Aircraft entrusted with the life of our nation’s president obviously have a big responsibility. The most famous of the fleet is, of course, Air Force One. However, there are other renditions in different branches with similar roles to carry POTUS safely from point A to point B as needed. Marine One is a helicopter, or rather several, that flies the Commander-In-Chief when needed to their destination with security as the top priority.
What Is Marine One?
It’s the responsibility of the Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) to fly the POTUS when needed. Marine One is the call sign of a collection of aircraft, most notably helicopters that carry our nation’s leader.
The HMX-1 squadron aka Nighthawks, uses this call sign on the helicopters carrying our President, whereas Marine Two is designated for the aircraft carrying our nation’s Vice President.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first to utilize the Marine One presidential helicopter, as a practical way to quickly get to his summer home in Pennsylvania.
Up to five helicopters are a part of Marine One to help provide decoys for extra security. Various formations also help obstruct the POTUS from the view of potential assassins.
Inside Marine One, things used to be much more barebones; however, modern amenities, such as air conditioning along with post-9/11 safety precautions, are all standard features these days.
Some of the newer modern safety features stem from the DoD’s Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program (VXX program) that began in 2002.
The Role of HMX-1
Marine One helicopter pilots have a lot on their plate, and the role came to be following the atomic bomb testing that went on at Bikini Atoll.
Gen. Roy S. Geiger watched these tests in 1946 and quickly realized that if an atomic attack were to occur in an area near water, various complications may be too much to overcome.
This created the Hogaboom Board, which delivered the USMC methods for transporting helicopters in such attacks while also creating HMX-1.
Marine Helicopter Squadron One was created on December 1, 1947, at MCAS Quantico, Virginia. You can still find them there, though some Nighthawks are also in Maryland and Washington D.C. as needed.
The Newest Marine One Helicopters Have Finally Arrived
On August 19, 2024, the VXX program took another major leap forward when President Joe Biden took his first flight on the new Marine One helicopter, a Sikorsky VH-92A Patriot, on his way to speak at the Democratic National Convention.
This flight may feel a bit routine; however, getting the new Marine One helicopter has been a process two decades in the making, as the USMC moves on from Vietnam-era aircraft.
Touching down in the parking lot of Soldier Field, President Biden got to experience the updates that began under the George W. Bush administration following 9/11 but were put off due to budget cuts by Obama.
While in office, President Trump was able to see the VH-92A Patriot come to life; however, there were problems with securing the communications system. There were also concerns about damaging the lawn of the White House.
Because of this, the delays continued until now. However, while these helicopters are new to Biden, Marine Helicopter Squadron One has been using them for years.
The aircraft continued its service as Marines were provided 23 helicopters with a total cost of around $5 billion.
Besides the increased security features, the new Marine One is larger and can travel further. It is bringing even more functionality to a role that requires only the best, state-of-the-art capabilities.
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