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HMX-1

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Marine Helicopter Squadron 1
HMX-1 insignia
Active1 December 1947 – present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Marine Corps
TypeMedium Helicopter Squadron
RoleVIP Transport
Operational Testing and Evaluation
Part ofHeadquarters Marine Corps
Garrison/HQMarine Corps Air Facility Quantico
Nickname(s)"The Nighthawks", "Marine One"
Tail Coden/a
Commanders
Current
commander		Colonel Bradley J. Harms
Notable
commanders		Keith B. McCutcheon
Edward C. Dyer

Marine Helicopter Squadron One(HMX-1) is aUnited States Marine Corpshelicoptersquadronresponsible for the transportation of thepresidentandvice presidentof the United States, heads of state,Department of Defenseofficials, and otherVIPsas directed by the Marine Corps and White House Military Office. A Marine helicopter with the president aboard uses thecall sign"Marine One".Previously, HMX-1 was also tasked with operational test and evaluation (OT&E). This task was reassigned to VMX-1 in Yuma, Arizona; since the contract award of the new presidential helicopter in 2014 to Sikorsky Aircraft, however, HMX-1 has assumed the temporary role of OT&E for this platform, because of its unique nature and mission[clarification needed].TheVH-92Afirst flew in 2017 and is expected to be operational sometime after 2022. Nicknamed "Nighthawks", HMX-1 is headquartered atMarine Corps Air Facility Quantico,Virginia,and maintains detachments atJoint Base Anacostia–BollinginWashington, D.C.,andJoint Base Andrews Naval Air FacilityinMaryland.

History[edit]

A VH-34D presidential helicopter (BuNo 147201) on the South Lawn of the White House in 1961

In 1946, GeneralRoy S. Geigerobserved theatomic bomb testsatBikini Atolland instantly recognized that atomic bombs could render amphibious landings difficult because of the dense concentrations of troops, ships, and material at the beachhead. TheCommandant of the Marine Corpsconvened a special board, theHogaboomBoard, that recommended that the Marine Corps develop transport helicopters in order to allow a more diffuse attack on enemy shores. It also recommended that they stand up an experimental helicopter squadron. HMX-1 was commissioned on 1 December 1947 under the command of ColonelEdward C. Dyerand based at MCAS Quantico, Virginia, because of its relative proximity to theSikorskyandPiaseckiplants inConnecticut,and to the Marine Corps schools where most of the original personnel would come. They operated theSikorsky HO3S-1and thePiasecki HRP-1and saw their first test of capabilities in May of that year when five squadron aircraft transported 66 Marines from the deck of theUSSPalau(CVE-122)toMarine Corps Base Camp Lejeune,North Carolina.While the test aircraft could only carry three Marines each and required multiple trips, it did indicate the possibilities of the concept.[1]In 1948 the Marine Corps Schools came out withAmphibious Operations - Employment of Helicopters (Tentative)orPhib-31which was the first manual for airmobile operations. The Marines used the term "vertical envelopment" instead of "air mobility" or "air assault".HMX-1 performed the first ship-to-shore movement of troops from the deck of an aircraft carrier in an exercise in May 1948.[2]

VH-1Nwith PresidentRonald ReaganatG7in Italy in 1987

After the start of theKorean War,four HMX-1 helicopters were attached toVMO-6and sent to help the1st Provisional Marine Brigadeat theBattle of Pusan Perimeterin 1950. They were used for battlefield observation and control as well asmedical evacuationand the rescue of fliers.[3]During theChosin campaignthey were used for liaison between the different Marine units strung along the western edge of the Chosin Reservoir. The requirements of the Korean War exceeded the Navy's training requirement thus HMX-1 was pressed into service as a training command for the first few years of the war. They trained the nucleus of pilots that would formHMR-161,the first Marine helicopter transport squadron.[4]

On 7 September 1957, PresidentDwight D. Eisenhowerwas vacationing inNewport, Rhode Island,when his immediate presence was needed at the White House. The President was required at the White House to deal with the "Little Rock Nine"crisis stemming from Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus ordering the Arkansas National Guard to block black students from attending Central High School. President Eisenhower responded by sending the 101st Airborne into Little Rock to enforce the Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education desegregation ruling handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court in May 1954.

Typically, the return trip to Washington, D.C., required an hour-long ferry ride acrossNarragansett BaytoAir Force Oneat theQuonset Point Naval Air Station,followed by a 45-minute flight toAndrews Air Force Base,Maryland,and a 20-minute motorcade ride to the White House.[5]Realizing the urgent need for his presence in Washington, President Eisenhower directed his staff to find a faster way to Air Force One.

An HMX-1UH-34helicopter was onAquidneck Islandin case of an emergency and could be used to fly the president to his awaiting aircraft. President Eisenhower approved the idea, and Col. Virgil D. Olson and his crew were ordered to rush to a landing pad at the Naval War College at Newport, where the President and Mrs. Eisenhower were staying during their vacation. Col. Olson reported making the flight to the waiting Air Force One across Narragansett Bay in a 6-minute flight.

Thus, a precedent was set.[5]Col. Olson became the first presidential helicopter pilot and commander of a greatly expanded HMX-1 squadron. He served at the pleasure of the president for almost three years before continuing his service in Korea and Vietnam and at the Pentagon. President Eisenhower invited Col. Olson to join him at a White House luncheon in 1959 at which Col. Olson was required to convince the president he should be allowed to pursue his career beyond the limits of the Marine One assignment. President Eisenhower reluctantly agreed to Col. Olson's request. Because of his historic role and his long involvement with the HMX-1 Squadron and Marine One operations, the squadron's new facility at Marine Base Quantico, Va., was dedicated in honor of Col. Olson (1919–2012) on 12 August 2010. Col. Olson spoke at the dedication of the facility, a rarity for named Marine facilities throughout the world, most of which recognize deceased Marines.

AVH-3D Sea Kingflying over Washington, D.C.

Shortly after the 7 September 1957, mission from Newport, a naval aide to the President asked HMX-1 to evaluate landing helicopters on the south lawn of the White House. Preliminary assessment and trial flights concluded that ample room was present for a safe landing and departure. Formal procedures were finalized and HMX-1 began a long career of flying the President of the United States to and from theSouth Lawnand Andrews AFB, the home of Air Force One.[5]Col. Olson is credited with initiating many of the procedures which are now standard operating procedure, including painting the top of the otherwise Marine green helicopters white, thus their "White Top" nickname. It also was Col. Olson who conceived the placement of the large white circular target at a predetermined spot on the White House lawn for the nose of Marine One on landing, a function necessitated when the White House gardener complained to Col. Olson that the rotor craft were destroying the trees, shrubs, and flowers on the South Lawn.

Initially, the helicopter function was shared with theArmy,but in 1976, the Marine Corps was assigned the sole responsibility and mission of providing helicopter support to the President worldwide. Today HMX-1 also supports the Vice President, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Navy, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and all visiting heads of state in the Washington, D.C., area.[5]

On 16 July 2009, Marine One flew with an all-female crew for the first time, as the final flight of the first woman to fly the president:MajorJennifer Grieves.[6]

Aircraft[edit]

A VH-60N Whitehawk, flies over thePotomac Riverin Washington, D.C.,

The first official presidential helicopter was theVH-34 Choctaw,beginning operations in September 1957, and replaced by theVH-3A Sea Kingbeginning in 1962. In the late 1970s, theVH-3Aswere retired and replaced by the upgradedVH-3D.The current fleet is made up of the VH-3D and theVH-60N "WhiteHawk",which entered service with the squadron in 1988.

The V designates the aircraft as configured for use by VIPs. The Executive Flight Detachment is the only Marine Corps unit to operate these Sikorsky aircraft. The VH-3D is capable of transporting 14 passengers while the VH-60N seats 11. Both helicopters require a pilot, copilot, and crew chief, and the VH-60N's crew also includes a communications systems operator. Because the VH-60N folds easily for loading into anAir ForceC-5 Galaxyor aC-17 Globemasterit is ideal for overseas assignments. The Marines can prepare a VH-60N for a C-5 load in less than two hours.[5]

Due to the uniqueness of the VH platforms, all pilots and maintenance personnel assigned are trained by Sikorsky factory-trained instructors. Depending on theMilitary Occupational Specialty,these schools range from 1 to 5 months and are taught at the squadron. Sikorsky technical representatives then provide a watchful eye as the Marines operate and maintain the helicopters.[5]

HMX-1 was scheduled to receive 23 newLockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrelhelicopters to replace the current fleet. However, in April 2009, it was announced that the Kestrel program was no longer included in the Defense budget.[7][8]TheVXXprogram was restarted, and is slated to deliver new aircraft between 2017 and 2023.[9]HMX-1also formerly operated a small number ofCH-46 Sea Knightsfor utility purposes, and recently retired its fleet ofCH-53E Super Stallions.These aircraft were replaced withMV-22B Ospreysby 2017.[10]These support aircraft also share the HMX-1 dark greenlivery,but lack the white paint at the top of the aircraft (thus the nickname "white tops" ) that the VIP transport helicopters have.[9]On 11 August 2013 two MV-22 Ospreys made their presidential debut ferryingSecret Service agents,White House staff, and members of the media fromCGAS Cape CodtoMartha's Vineyardduring the President's vacation.[11]As of 2015,HMX-1 has 7Sikorsky VH-3Dof 1960s' vintage, 8Sikorsky VH-60Nfrom the 80s/90s era and 12 Bell-BoeingMV-22Ospreys.[12]

Executive Flight Detachment[edit]

MV-22Bprovides logistical support

The presidential and VIP flights are conducted by "Whiteside", the Executive Flight Detachment. Most activities of Whiteside are directed by theWhite House Military Office.Whiteside, although based at Quantico, Virginia, operates extensively out of an adjunct facility atJoint Base Anacostia-BollinginWashington, D.C.

Operations by "Greenside", which is the rest of HMX-1, include operational test and evaluation, such as with the V-22, avertical take-off and landingtiltrotoraircraft, and support of exercises and training evolutions for theMarine Corps Combat Development CommandatMarine Corps Base Quantico,Virginia.

The "X" in its squadron designator originally stood for Experimental, emblematic of its original mission of testing new helicopters and flight systems. However, as its operational role in VIP transportation overshadowed its operational test and evaluation role, the "Experimental" moniker was dropped, although the squadron designator was left unchanged.

Marines who fly in the Executive Flight Detachment may be eligible for thePresidential Service Badgeafter a certain term of service.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^Mersky(1983), p.125.
  2. ^Shettle(2001), p.131.
  3. ^Chapin(2000), p.15.
  4. ^Rawlins(1976), p.47.
  5. ^abcdef"History of the Executive Flight Detachment".United States Marine Corps. Archived fromthe originalon 3 February 2017.Retrieved26 October2009.
  6. ^Superville, Darlene (16 July 2009)."First Female Marine One pilot finishes tour".Marine Corps Times.Associated Press.Archived fromthe originalon 26 August 2011.Retrieved20 July2009.
  7. ^"Gibbs: Obama puts new presidential helicopters on hold".CNN.24 February 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 24 March 2016.Retrieved27 April2009.
  8. ^"Gates outlines military spending overhaul".NBC News.Associated Press.6 April 2009.Retrieved27 April2009.
  9. ^abSanborn, James K. (11 May 2011)."New helos, Osprey heading for HMX-1".Marine Corps Times.Archived fromthe originalon 23 July 2011.Retrieved13 May2011.
  10. ^Trautman III, George J.(2009)."2010 Marine Aviation Plan"(PDF).Headquarters Marine Corps.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 31 March 2010.Retrieved5 January2010.
  11. ^"Osprey aircraft deployed for first time in support of Marine One".CNN. Archived fromthe originalon 14 August 2013.Retrieved12 August2013.
  12. ^"Presidential MV-22 Osprey Photo | Ares".Archived fromthe originalon 26 June 2015.

Bibliography[edit]

External links[edit]

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