HMX-1

Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), "The Nighthawks", based at Marine Corps Air Facility, Quantico, Virginia, is responsible for the helicopter transportation of the president of the United States, vice president, Cabinet members and VIPs. When the President is aboard, the Marine helicopter uses the call sign "Marine One."

Related Topics:
Quantico, Virginia - Helicopter - President of the United States - Marine One

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The first official presidential helicopter was the VH-34, beginning operations in September 1957. Since 1976 the U.S. Marine Corps has had sole responsibility for presidential helicopter transportation. The current fleet is made up of the VH-3D Sea King and the VH-60N Blackhawk which entered service with the squadron in 1962 and 1988, respectively.

Related Topics:
VH-34 - September - 1957 - 1976 - U.S. Marine Corps - VH-3D Sea King - VH-60N Blackhawk - 1962 - 1988

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HMX-1 is scheduled to receive 23 new Lockheed Martin's US-101 helicopters to replace the current fleet by 2008.

Related Topics:
Lockheed Martin's - US-101

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The presidential and VIP flights fall under "Whiteside", the Executive Flight Detachment. Most activities of Whiteside are directed by the White House Military Office. Whiteside, although based at Quatico, Virginia, operates extensively out of an alert facility at Naval Air Station Anacostia in Washington, DC, which conjoins Bolling Air Force Base. Operations by "Greenside", which is the rest of HMX-1, include operational test and evaluation, such as with the V-22 Osprey, a vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and support of exercises and training evolutions for the Marine Corps Combat Development Command at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.

Related Topics:
White House Military Office - Bolling Air Force Base - V-22 Osprey - Vertical take-off and landing

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