Editing HMX-1

{{morefootnotes|date=February 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= Marine Helicopter Squadron 1
|image= HMX-1 Insignia.svg
|image_size= 200px
|caption= HMX-1 insignia
|dates=1 December 1947 – present
|country= {{Flagu|United States}}
|allegiance= 
|branch= {{marines|United States}}
|type= Medium Helicopter Squadron
|role= VIP Transport<br/>Operational Testing and Evaluation
|size=
|command_structure= [[Headquarters Marine Corps]]
|current_commander= Colonel Bradley J. Harms
|garrison= [[Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico]]
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|nickname= "The Nighthawks", "Marine One"
|patron=
|motto= 
|colors='''[[Tail Code|n/a]]'''
|colors_label=Tail Code
|march=
|mascot=
|battles= 
|notable_commanders=[[Keith B. McCutcheon]]<br/>[[Edward C. Dyer]]
|anniversaries=
}}

'''Marine Helicopter Squadron One''' ('''HMX-1''') is a [[United States Marine Corps]] [[helicopter]] [[Squadron (aviation)|squadron]] responsible for the transportation of the [[President of the United States|president]] and [[Vice President of the United States|vice president]] of the United States, heads of state, [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] officials, and other [[Very important person|VIPs]] as directed by the Marine Corps and White House Military Office. A Marine helicopter with the president aboard uses the [[call 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{{clarify|reason="Does 'its' refer to HMX-1 or the role? Referring to the 'unique nature' of HMX-1 seems odd; the uniqueness of the mission seems to provide a sufficient explanation for HMX-1's assuming the OT&E role|date=August 2019}}. The [[VH-92|VH-92A]] first flew in 2017 and became operational in 2024.
Nicknamed "Nighthawks", HMX-1 is headquartered at [[Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico]], [[Virginia]], and maintains detachments at [[Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], and [[Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility]] in [[Maryland]].

==History==
[[File:VH-34D at the White House 1961.jpg|thumb|left|A VH-34D presidential helicopter (BuNo 147201) on the South Lawn of the White House in 1961]]

In 1946, General [[Roy Geiger|Roy S. Geiger]] observed the [[Operation Crossroads|atomic bomb tests]] at [[Bikini Atoll]] and instantly recognized that atomic bombs could render amphibious landings difficult because of the dense concentrations of troops, ships, and material at the beachhead. The [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]] convened a special board, the [[Robert E. Hogaboom|Hogaboom]] Board, 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 Colonel [[Edward C. Dyer]] and based at MCAS Quantico, Virginia, because of its relative proximity to the [[Sikorsky Aircraft|Sikorsky]] and [[Piasecki Helicopter|Piasecki]] plants in [[Connecticut]], and to the Marine Corps schools where most of the original personnel would come from. They operated the [[Sikorsky H-19|Sikorsky HO3S-1]] and the [[Piasecki H-21|Piasecki HRP-1]] and saw their first test of capabilities in May of that year when five squadron aircraft transported 66 Marines from the deck of the {{USS|Palau|CVE-122}} to [[Marine 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.<ref name=Mersky_p125>[[#Mersky|Mersky]] (1983), p.125.</ref> In 1948 the Marine Corps Schools came out with ''Amphibious Operations - Employment of Helicopters (Tentative)'' or ''Phib-31'' which 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.<ref name=Shettle_p131>[[#Shettle|Shettle]] (2001), p.131.</ref>

[[File:VH-1N HMX-1 in northern Italy 1987.JPEG|thumb|right|[[UH-1N Twin Huey|VH-1N]] with President [[Ronald Reagan]] at [[G7]] in Italy in 1987]]

After the start of the [[Korean War]], four HMX-1 helicopters were attached to [[VMO-6]] and sent to help the [[1st Provisional Marine Brigade]] at the [[Battle of Pusan Perimeter]] in 1950. They were used for battlefield observation and control as well as [[medical evacuation]] and the rescue of fliers.<ref name=Chapin_p15>[[#Chapin|Chapin]] (2000), p.15.</ref> During the [[Battle of Chosin Reservoir|Chosin campaign]] they 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 form [[VMM-161|HMR-161]], the first Marine helicopter transport squadron.<ref name=Rawlins_p47>[[#Rawlins|Rawlins]] (1976), p.47.</ref>

On 7 September 1957, President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] was vacationing in [[Newport, 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 v. Board of Education|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 across [[Narragansett Bay]] to [[Air Force One]] at the [[Quonset Point Naval Air Station]], followed by a 45-minute flight to [[Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility|Andrews Air Force Base]], [[Maryland]], and a 20-minute motorcade ride to the White House.<ref name="EFD">{{cite web |title=History of the Executive Flight Detachment |publisher=United States Marine Corps |url=http://www.marines.mil/units/hqmc/hmx-1/Pages/deps/EFD/default.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203053931/http://www.marines.mil/units/hqmc/hmx-1/Pages/deps/EFD/default.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=2017-02-03 |access-date=2009-10-26 }}</ref> 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-1 [[Sikorsky H-34|UH-34]] helicopter was on [[Aquidneck Island]] in 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.<ref name="EFD" /> 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.

[[File:MarineOne flying past the Lincoln memorial.jpg|left|thumb|A [[SH-3 Sea King|VH-3D Sea King]] flying 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 the [[South Lawn]] and Andrews AFB, the home of Air Force One.<ref name="EFD" /> 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 the [[United States Army|Army]], 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.<ref name="EFD"/>

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: [[Major (United States)|Major]] Jennifer Grieves.<ref name="femalepilot">{{cite news|url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/07/ap_marine_one_female_pilot_071609/|title=First Female Marine One pilot finishes tour|last=Superville|first=Darlene|date=16 July 2009|agency=[[Associated Press]]|work=[[Marine Corps Times]]|access-date=2009-07-20|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826083605/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/07/ap_marine_one_female_pilot_071609|archive-date=26 August 2011}}</ref>

==Aircraft==
[[File:VH-60N Marine Helicopter flies over the Potomac.jpg|thumb|A VH-60N Whitehawk flies over the [[Potomac River]] in Washington, D.C. ]]

The first official presidential helicopter was the [[Sikorsky H-34|VH-34 Choctaw]], beginning operations in September 1957, and replaced by the [[Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King|VH-3A Sea King]] beginning in 1962. In the late 1970s, the [[Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King|VH-3As]] were retired and replaced by the upgraded [[VH-3D]]. The current fleet is made up of the VH-3D, the [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk|VH-60N "Whitehawk"]], which entered service with the squadron in 1988, the [[Sikorsky VH-92 Patriot|VH-92]], and the [[Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey|MV-22]].

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, as is the VH-92, while the VH-60N only seats 11. All 3 helicopters require a pilot, copilot, and crew chief, but only the VH-60N and VH-92 also require a communications systems operator. Because the VH-60N folds easily for loading into an [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] [[Lockheed C-5 Galaxy|C-5 Galaxy]] or a [[Boeing C-17 Globemaster III|C-17 Globemaster]] it is ideal for overseas assignments. The Marines can prepare a VH-60N for a C-5 load in less than two hours.<ref name="EFD"/>
[[File:Sikorsky VH-92 lands in front of the White House during tests, 22 September 2018 (180922-M-ZY870-531).jpg|left|thumb|A [[Sikorsky VH-92 Patriot|VH-92A]] conducts landing tests, White House South Lawn in 2018]]
Due to the uniqueness of the VIP transport platforms, denoted by the VH prefix, all pilots and maintenance personnel assigned to these aircraft are trained by Sikorsky factory-trained instructors. Depending on the [[List of United States Marine Corps MOS|Military Occupational Specialty]], these schools can range from 1 to 5 months and are taught at the squadron. Sikorsky technical representatives oversee the Marines' operation and maintenance of the aircraft.<ref name="EFD"/>

HMX-1 was scheduled to receive 23 new [[Lockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel]] helicopters to replace the current fleet. However, in April 2009, it was announced that the Kestrel program was cancelled over budget concerns.<ref name="VH71hold">{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/02/24/gibbs-obama-puts-new-presidential-helicopters-on-hold/|title=Gibbs: Obama puts new presidential helicopters on hold|date=24 February 2009|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=2009-04-27|archive-date=24 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324175156/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/02/24/gibbs-obama-puts-new-presidential-helicopters-on-hold/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="VH71canc">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna30071664|title=Gates outlines military spending overhaul|date=6 April 2009|agency=[[Associated Press]]|publisher=[[NBC News]]|access-date=2009-04-27}}</ref> The [[VXX]] program was restarted in 2010 and the [[Sikorsky VH-92 Patriot|Sikorsky VH-92]] won the competition in 2014. Final delivery of VH-92's to the unit was completed in 2024.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-08-19 |title=Final VH-92A presidential helicopter delivered |url=https://www.navair.navy.mil/news/Final-VH-92A-presidential-helicopter-delivered/Mon-08192024-1049 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250222235437/https://www.navair.navy.mil/news/Final-VH-92A-presidential-helicopter-delivered/Mon-08192024-1049 |archive-date=2025-02-22 |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=www.navair.navy.mil}}</ref> {{nowrap|HMX-1}} also formerly operated a small number of [[Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight|CH-46 Sea Knights]] for utility purposes and a fleet of [[Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion|CH-53E Super Stallions]]. These aircraft were replaced with [[Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey|MV-22B Ospreys]] by 2017.<ref name="2010 Air Plan">{{cite web| first =  George J.| last = Trautman III| author-link = George J. Trautman III| title = 2010 Marine Aviation Plan| publisher = [[Headquarters Marine Corps]]| year = 2009| url = http://www.marines.mil/unit/aviation/Documents/FY2010%20AvPlan%20Final%20(17%20Nov%2009%20ver).pdf| access-date = 2010-01-05| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100331142750/http://www.marines.mil/unit/aviation/Documents/FY2010%20AvPlan%20Final%20%2817%20Nov%2009%20ver%29.pdf| archive-date=2010-03-31}}</ref> The MV-22's share the dark green [[aircraft livery|livery]] that is characteristic of HMX-1, but they lack the white painted top which gained the other aircraft the nickname "white tops".<ref name="osprey">{{cite news|url=http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2011/05/marine-hmx1-president-osprey-051111w/|title=New helos, Osprey heading for HMX-1|date=11 May 2011|first=James K.|last=Sanborn|newspaper=Marine Corps Times|access-date=13 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723091245/http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2011/05/marine-hmx1-president-osprey-051111w/|archive-date=23 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 11 August 2013 two MV-22 Ospreys made their presidential debut ferrying [[United States Secret Service|Secret Service agents]], White House staff, and members of the media from [[Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod|CGAS Cape Cod]] to [[Martha's Vineyard]] during the President's vacation.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/08/11/osprey-aircraft-deployed-for-first-time-in-support-of-marine-one/ |title= Osprey aircraft deployed for first time in support of Marine One |publisher= CNN.com |access-date= 12 August 2013 |archive-date= 14 August 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130814033714/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/08/11/osprey-aircraft-deployed-for-first-time-in-support-of-marine-one/ |url-status= dead }}</ref> {{asof|2024|August}}, HMX-1 operates a fleet of 10 [[Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King|Sikorsky VH-3D]]'s, 6 [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk|Sikorsky VH-60N]]'s, 9 [[Sikorsky VH-92 Patriot|Sikorsky VH-92]]'s<ref name=":0" /> and 12 Bell-Boeing [[Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey|MV-22]] Ospreys.<ref>{{cite web |last=Howarth |first=Nigel |date=2015-06-24 |title=Presidential MV-22 Osprey Photo {{!}} Ares |url=http://aviationweek.com/blog/presidential-mv-22-osprey-photo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626105039/http://aviationweek.com/blog/presidential-mv-22-osprey-photo |archive-date=2015-06-26 |access-date=2025-03-05}}</ref>

==Executive Flight Detachment==
[[File:Bell-Boeing MV-22B 168339 HMX-1 FDK MD1.jpg|thumb|A [[Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey|MV-22B]] of HMX-1 Executive Flight, supporting the Camp David summit, of U.S. President Biden, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in Maryland]]
The presidential and VIP flights are conducted by "Whiteside", the Executive Flight Detachment. Most activities of Whiteside are directed by the [[White House Military Office]]. Whiteside, although based at Quantico, Virginia, operates extensively out of an adjunct facility at [[Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling|Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] 

Operations by "Greenside", which is the rest of HMX-1, include operational test and evaluation, such as with the V-22, a [[VTOL|vertical take-off and landing]] [[tiltrotor]] aircraft, and support of exercises and training evolutions for the [[Marine Corps Combat Development Command]] at [[Marine 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 the [[Presidential Service Badge]] after a certain term of service.

==See also==
* [[89th Airlift Wing]]
* [[United States Secret Service]]
* [[United States Marine Corps Aviation]]
* [[List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons]]
* [[List of decommissioned United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons]]

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Marine Corps}}
* {{cite book |last = Chapin |first = John C. |year = 2000 |title = Fire Brigade: U.S. Marines in the Pusan Perimeter |publisher = Marine Corps Historical Center |location = Washington, D.C. }}
*{{cite book |last = Dorr |first = Robert F. |title = Marine Air: The History of the Flying Leathernecks in Words and Photos |publisher = Penguin Group |year = 2005 |isbn = 9780425207253 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sPFrAAAACAAJ}}
* Mersky, Peter B. ''U.S. Marine Corps Aviation: 1912 to the Present''. Annapolis, Maryland: Nautical and Aviation Publishing Company of America, 1983. {{ISBN|0-933852-39-8}}.
*{{cite book
  | last = Rawlins
  | first = Eugene W.
  | title = Marines and Helicopters 1946–1962
  | publisher = History and Museums Division, Headquarters Marine Corps
  | year = 1976
  | location = Washington, D.C.
}}
* {{cite book |last = Shettle Jr. |first = M. L. |title = United States Marine Corps Air Stations of World War II |publisher = Schaertel Publishing Co. |year = 2001 |location = Bowersville, Georgia |isbn =  0-9643388-2-3}}
* {{cite journal|last=Brent|first=P.T.|date=February 2009|title="Marine One"--Welcome Aboard|journal=[[Leatherneck Magazine]]|publisher=[[Marine Corps Association]]|location=[[Quantico, Virginia]]|issue=Feb 2009|pages=18–21|url=http://www.leatherneckmagazine-digital.com/leatherneckmagazine-share/200902/?pg=20&pm=2&u1=friend|access-date=2009-04-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011110938/http://www.leatherneckmagazine-digital.com/leatherneckmagazine-share/200902/?pg=20&pm=2&u1=friend|archive-date=2009-10-11}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Marine Helicopter Squadron 1|HMX-1}}
* [http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/hmx-1/UnitHome.aspx HMX-1 Official Website]
* [https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/whmo/hmx1.html The White House HMX-1 page]

{{PresidentialCallsigns}}
{{White House Military Office}}
{{US Marine Corps navbox}}

[[Category:Helicopter squadrons of the United States Marine Corps| ]]
[[Category:Transportation of the president of the United States]]
[[Category:White House Military Office]]
[[Category:1947 establishments in the United States]]