1947 to present


usa Marine Helicopter Squadron 1

US Marine Corps

HMX-1 Marine One









Marine Helicopter Squadron 1 US Marine Corps

Marine Helicopter Squadron 1
Tail Codes
MX 1959-   
The Nighthawks, Marine Experimental Helicopter Squadron One, MCAS Quantico, VA. Tail code MX. Created in 1947 as Marine Experimental Helicopter Squadron 1 in the wake of the Bikini Atoll atomic bomb tests to evaluate combat effectiveness of helicopters and develop doctrine and tactics for future Marine Corps use.

After 1962, charged with sole responsibility of transporting the President of the United States, first sharing the task with the US Army and exclusively from 1976.

The helicopters use the call sign Marine One when the president is aboard. Currently assigned Sikorsky VH-3D and VH-60N ("White Tops") for the executive transport role and CH-53E and MV-22B ( all green livery ) for the support role.
Created on 1 Dec 1947 at Quantico to evaluate and test both helicopter airframes and tactics. HMX-1 more visible tasks since 7 Sep 1957, when President Eisenhowen took his first official helicopter flight has been to transport the US President, senior government figures and visiting Heads of State; since 1967 this role has been solely HMX-1s. This tends to eclipse its other important role of testing and training for the USMC.
Since 2013 HMX-1 received 14 MV-22B to replace its CH-53 and CH-46 fleet. The Green Osprey is painted in dark green livery and are used to transport support staff and members of the media during presidential trips. These V-22 does not have white-tops which are reserved for the U.S. President aircraft




1971-1975, HMX also flew three SH-3Gs. One of which MX-15 stood alert duty at Anacostia as the White aircraft.Two VH-3A's Gold and red A/C and the SH-3G white aircraft. This was the only green side A/C to be assigned to the white side (Presidential). The A/C remained in its normal Marine green paint with troop seats inside. While this aircraft was assigned to Anacostia another SH-3G was pickup from the Navy at NAS Norfolk. There are pictures of MX-15 on this site at Quantico. When the VH-3ds went in service, the SH-3G'S went back to the navy. I was Crew Chief on MX-15 on both the green side and white side. Probably the only crew chief at HMX that can say that. MX-15, 148043 is now at the air museum at the old NAS Barbers Point Hawaii. Bill Kennedy, SGT USMC 1972-1976.

1982-1986 I served with HMX-1 under COs Johnston, Dake, and Peasley. I came across this article recently and recognized many of the names of the old-salts who are contributors. I was a Cobra pilot (7565) in the Fleet so got the opportunity to fly these hybrid aircraft frequently, both white and green tops. I checked my flight logbooks and I accumulated many hours in all the BUNOs listed (551-557) except 555 which I believe was hard down or unavailable at the time. I flew with Navy Secretary Lehman on many occasions as his co-pilot in the all-green version. He was a USNR Naval Flight Officer (A-6 BN) and after assuming office went to Pensacola and was designated a Naval Aviator so he was able to accumulate first-pilot time. I would fly from MCAF Quantico to the Pentagon VIP pad to pick him up with my Crew Chief in the left seat, Same for the return trip after the lift. The Squadron had installed a Sperry Flight Director in these helicopters which allowed for a coupled approach (azimuth and altitude) down to a hands-off 50' level-off in centerline. Really an amazing feature for a USMC helo at the time and it worked well. Lots of good memories from my tour with the Squadron. Semper Fi to all current, past and future HMX-1 Squadron members.




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  Locations


YearsLocationICAO/FAA
1947-    MCAF Quantico / Turner FieldKNYG
NSF Anacostia



helicopter   Models


Years Models
2020-    VH-92A
2013-    V-22 Osprey
1992/11 S-80 H-53E
1989-    VH-60N White Hawk
1974-    VH-3D Sea King
1971/92 S-65 H-53
1970/92 VH-1N
1963/76 VH-3A Sea King
1962/14 107M H-46 Sea Knight
1957/62 HUS-1Z / VH-34D Seahorse
1953/56 H-43 Huskie



  Marine Helicopter Squadron 1 Operations


Dates Operation
2014-mar-242014-mar-25 NL NSS 2014







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