Marine One
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In 1957 President Eisenhower asked his Military Aides about using helicopters for short trips. The Air Force and Army Aides expressed concern about the safety of helicopters. Naval Aide Aurand, a Naval aviator, argued that helicopters would be safe for routine use. President Eisenhower decided to leave the decision with the Secret Service.
On July 12, 1957 President Eisenhower flew from the White House to Camp David aboard a Bell UH-13-J and became the first Chief Executive to travel via helicopter. This started almost weekly flights to either Camp David or to Ike's Gettysburg farm. Flights to the farm first flew to Camp David; there a strobe light placed in top of the barn at Gettysburg guided the copters to the farm. In January 1958 both the Executive Flight Detachment and HMX-1 were using the Sikorsky H-34-C as their primary helicopter. The VH-34-D is the military transport version of the Sikorsky S-58 it was designed specifically for the US Navy as an antisubmarine attack helicopter. In 1961 the VH-3D Sea King begins to replace the VH-34-D as the primary executive transport. Developed for the Navy, as a carrier-based all weather anti-submarine helicopter with extensive interior modifications, it became the favorite VIP transport. It remains in service after over 35 years. In 1962 the President requested that the VIP aircraft have distinctive markings. The airplanes were to have a blue and white paint scheme, with United States of America on both sides of the fuselage, the American flag on both sides of the tail and the Presidential seal on both sides of the nose. HMX-1 provides all helicopter transportation for the President both overseas and within the continental United States. HMX-1 also provides helicopter emergency evacuation and other support as directed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Marine One is the call sign used when the President is on board of one of the HMX-1 Marine helicopters. As with their Fleet Marine Force counterparts, HMX-1 crew chiefs are responsible for the maintenance and up keep of their "birds." It's the Marine One crew chief's responsibility to ensure his or her aircraft is in top shape and ready for use. But not every HMX-1 crew chief is a Marine One crew chief. There is a difference. At any given time, there are only four Marine One crew chiefs for each VH-3D helicopter within the squadron. Crew chiefs are selected through boards, similar to meritorious promotion boards, to become part of the elite Marine One foursome. As a new Marine One crew chief is placed on assignment for a one-year tour, another is removed from the duty. This is done mainly to keep crew chiefs from burning out at their assignment due to constant travel and time away from family members. The moment a Marine is issued orders to HMX-1, he or she will spend the first part of his or her assignment on the "Green Side" of the squadron. Managing CH-53Es and CH-46Es. Assignment to the Green Side is usually temporary for crew chiefs until their security clearance is approved by HMX-1 investigators. Crew chiefs are sent to the Naval Air Crew Candidate School in Pensacola, Fla., for three months of vigorous training that includes everything from advanced swim qualification to jungle environmental survival tactics. |
