A brief history of "Marine One" - the VH-3A helicopter.

Images of Saratoga volunteers unloading the Foundation's VH-3A helicopter can be read by selecting this link.

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Prologue:
On December 1, 1947, the US Marine Corps activated its first helicopter squadron with a primary mission of test flying all vertical lift aircraft. From the Marine Corps Air Station at Quantico, Virginia, Helicopter Squadron HMX [(H) Helicopter (M) Marine (X) Experimental] operated nine Piasecki HRP-1 and six Sikorsky HO3S-1 units, performing research, test and evaluation of these rotary winged aircraft.

Ten years later (1957), President Eisenhower asked his Military Aides about using helicopters for short trips. While the intervening years had seen an extraordinary advancement in the capabilities and missions of the helicopter (particularly in Korea), the Air Force and Army Aides expressed concern about the safety of helicopters for use by the Chief Executive. Admiral E. Peter Aurand, Naval Aide to the President (1957-1961), argued that helicopters would be safe for routine use. President Eisenhower decided to leave the decision with the Secret Service.

The Secret Service concluded that helicopter travel was most likely as safe for travel as the traditional motorcade. The Air Force purchased two Bell UH-13-J helicopters for use by the White House.

The Squadron:
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. Almost weekly flights to either Camp David or to Ike's Gettysburg farm followed. 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.

On January 1, 1958, the US Army Executive Flight Detachment, Davison US Army Air Field, Fort Belvoir, VA was activated. At the same time, the original Marine Corps HMX squadron spun off a separate group to work with the Army in this new venture - Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), which continued to operate out of Quantico, VA. The Army/USMC team was given the primary mission of the emergency evacuation of the President, his family and other key government officials. After satisfying this mission, these units furnished helicopter transportation for the President and others.

The helicopter was known as Marine One or Army One when the President was on board, or Marine 2 when the Vice President was on board. It was known as State One when a foreign head of state was on board. The Presidential seal was attached to a mounting on the door when he was aboard.

The Machines:
In 1961 the VH - 3A Sea King begin to replace the VH 34 D as the primary executive transport. Developed for the Navy as a carrier-based all weather anti-submarine helicopter, it soon became the favorite VIP transport. The Sea King remains in VIP service to this day.

Eight Sea Kings were built under a Navy contract for use in the VIP transport role. They were powered by two T58-GE-83 turbines, and can maintain altitude with one. Each engine produces 1,500 horsepower. With a crew of 4 and up to 15 passengers, the helicopter has a cruising speed of 140 mph, a range of 600 miles and a ceiling of 14,500 feet. Each also had an Auxiliary Power Unit in a teardrop fairing attached to the rear part of the starboard undercarriage sponson.

They were luxuriously fitted out with carpeting, radio telephones, a wet bar, toilets, and extensive soundproofing. They were deliberately over-maintained, with components being replaced at half-life.

In addition to the VIP interior improvements, many protective measures were utilized. Light armor protects the crew and passengers from small arms fire and medium explosive projectiles. Special protection is provided for the electrical system and flight controls. Self-sealing and crash-resistant fuel tanks, along with energy-absorbing landing gear and seating improve crash survivability.

Only two of these aircraft (one of which is now ours) carried Army markings, and Army and Marine Corps crews operated whichever aircraft was available. In 1962 President Kennedy requested that the VIP aircraft have distinctive markings. The helicopters were to have a green and white paint scheme, with United States of America on both sides of the fuselage, and an American flag on both sides of the tail and engine cowling and the Presidential seal on both sides of the nose.

They were redesignated VH-3A in 1962. One of them was presented to Egyptian President Anwar Sadat by President Nixon. They were replaced by the later VH-3D in 1976, the same year the Marine Corps took over exclusive operation of the Presidential Executive Fleet of helicopters.

Last Updated:
/30/10