Premiere Unit Paves Way for Helos in Corps
by Staff Sgt. Cindy Fisher
Marine Corps News
June 24, 2003


MARINE CORPS AIR FACILITY QUANTICO, Va. -- Television crews check their equipment and reporters review their questions. The scene, back-dropped by the White House, is one of controlled confusion as each individual in the media mob scrambles for the best spot, the best view. Security personnel prowl the perimeter to ensure all is safe; there are no threats. Then, the rhythmic thump of its rotor blades slices through the crowd's chatter causing a momentary quiet. A swirl of wind precedes the approaching helicopter causing hands to clutch hats, notepads and equipment. Every eye is intently focused on Marine One as it approaches the South Lawn. The craft lands and a Marine, clean-cut and immaculate in dress blues, steps forth from within. He opens the aircraft's doors and all attention shifts to the man emerging from the helicopter, the President of the United States. Marine One is once again forgotten--until the next time it transports the Commander-in-Chief.

Marine One is the most recognized, yet least known helicopter in the Marine Corps. It isn't even a single aircraft, but a designation for a Marine Corps helicopter when it flies the president. The helicopters and crews that serve as Marine One are actually part of Marine Helicopter Squadron One, which is based at Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico.

While HMX-1 is the only helicopter unit assigned to transporting the president, this is not its only mission or even its reason for existence.

The oldest squadron in the Corps, it was established in 1947 to pioneer an entirely new concept in air operations--transporting Marines to the battle zone in helicopters. From this, the squadron has evolved into the operational test activity for new helicopter systems and products designed for the Marine Corps.

The Operational Test and Evaluation section keeps the X--for experimental--in HMX-1, according to Maj. Matthew McLuckie, the assistant chief operational test director. "We are a vital part of the acquisition process for acquiring new gear for helicopter assets. We test it from big to small, from the V-22 to the new seat cushions of the CH-46."

HMX-1 has been involved in the testing of every helicopter used in the Corps. Currently, its largest test project is the MV-22 Osprey.

Established for the 'X' in 1947, it wasn't until ten years later that the squadron began what is now its most recognizable mission, providing helicopter support to the president. Before Marine One, to get from his summer home in Newport, R.I., to Washington, President Dwight D. Eisenhower had to endure an hour-long ferry ride across Narragansett Bay to Air Force One, followed by a 45-minute flight to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and a 20-minute motorcade to the White House. Sept. 7, 1957, President Eisenhower, whose presence was urgently required in Washington, needed a faster way to the Oval Office. An HMX-1 UH-34, on Rhode Island for emergencies, was diverted for the president's use.

The seven-minute flight set a precedent for presidential flight duties that was initially shared with the Army. In 1966, the Marine Corps assumed sole responsibility for providing helicopter support to the president worldwide. HMX-1's Executive Flight Detachment also provides support for the Vice President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Navy, all visiting heads of states as directed by the White House, the Chief of Naval Operations and, of course, the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Denizens of the detachment affectionately refer to their compound as the "cage" for the fence separating it from the rest of HMX-1 and the "white side" for the paint job of its craft, which are green on bottom, white on top.

Assignment to the cage is the pinnacle to which most of the unit's aircrew and pilots aspire. "The Marines who fly with the president operate in a very demanding environment where failure is not an option," said Col. Steve P. Taylor, commanding officer.

What makes this task even more daunting is that HMX-1 is the only Marine Corps unit to operate VH3s and VH60s, the craft that make up the presidential fleet. Most Marine Corps pilots concentrate on only one craft during their careers, he said.

"That is one of the most unique challenges at HMX-1, learning to fly a new craft, then going from one air frame to another," Maj. Timothy 'Toolman' Fetsch, one of the pilots who has earned the right to pilot Marine One. "But it does get easier over time."

Which is why tours at HMX-1 are four years long. Marines are screened for approval before they are accepted to the unit. Then they spend at least a year on the "green side" learning maintenance procedures and practicing what they learn while waiting for their "Yankee White" clearance, an in-depth security screening every Marine who comes into contact with the president must acquire. If a Marine cannot get YW clearance, he is soon rotated to a new duty station.

"From the day they get to the green side, we are preparing them for possible work in the cage," Taylor said. Some never leave the green side, which maintains the CH53s and CH46s used to fly the vice-president and other VIPS. A select few, after lots of hard work, earn the title crew chief for Marine One. For these Marines, green side and white side, the name of the game is maintenance, maintenance and then more maintenance.

"Our helicopters are the most meticulously maintained aircraft in the world. They are flying the President of the United States," Taylor said.

That's a lot of responsibility for a Marine, said Sgt. Daniel N. Senn, a Marine One crew chief for the VH3. "I'm the one responsible for inspecting the president's helicopter and if I miss something, the consequences could be huge. Having that responsibility is tough."

For pilots, attaining the Marine One status is equally tough. They spend three years learning and acquiring flight hours before they are even considered. Of the 70 pilots with the unit, only 5 are Marine One pilots. "Not all pilots make it to Marine One pilot. But, every pilot gets the opportunity to fly as a co-pilot for the president," Fetsch said. "And to be a part of that, in any way at all, is extremely motivating."



Sempers,

Roger