Sikorsky: The Marine One Legacy Lives On
The VH-92A Patriot® helicopter transports the President and Vice President of the United States and other officials. Sikorsky brings unmatched experience and a proven track record to this mission having flown every president since 1957.
The VH-92A Patriot brings increased capabilities for this no-fail mission supporting the Commander-in-Chief around the world.
U.S. Marine Corps VH-92A conduct a fly by during the Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) 75th Anniversary Reunion on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, June 3, 2022. Photo courtesy U.S. Marine Corps.
The VH-92A aircraft ensures long-term affordability by utilizing the FAA certified Sikorsky S-92 aircraft, which is best-in-class for safety and reliability. The S-92 aircraft was modified at Sikorsky facilities in Owego, New York, and Stratford, Connecticut, for the VH-92A mission based on government-defined requirements.
Sikorsky’s highly-skilled employees demonstrated their ability to innovate, manufacture and deliver these next-generation VH-92A presidential helicopters to operate worldwide in support of presidential missions. This is a credit to the company's valued and long-lasting partnership with the Marine Corps to provide a highly tailored solution for the Marine Corps’ unique, critical mission.
Photo courtesy Igor I. Sikorsky Historical Archives.
The First Marine One: President Eisenhower takes flight
President Eisenhower’s decision to employ helicopters in official capacity changed forever how the commander-in-chief could travel while able to conduct the nation’s business.
It was the summer of 1957. President Eisenhower was enjoying a summer vacation in Newport, Rhode Island. Word came that the President must return to the nation’s capital as quickly as possible. Rather than take the Presidential yacht, the Barbara Anne, an aide suggested using the Marine UH-34 helicopter on standby for emergencies.
The President boarded the Sikorsky helicopter flying to Quonset Point Naval Air Station where Air Force One was ready for the flight back to Washington, D.C. His trip would have taken two hours by car or 40 minutes by boat, but it only took seven minutes in the Sikorsky helicopter.
That Rhode Island flight marked the start of the Marine Corps detachment that — to this day — relies on Sikorsky helicopters to execute its no-fail mission in the iconic green and white topped helicopters.
A fast, safe means of transportation
In December 1959, President Eisenhower flew aboard a Marine/Sikorsky S-58 and landed on the USS Des Moines in the Mediterranean. It was the first time a President made a shipboard landing in any type of aircraft.
President Eisenhower embraced the capability of the Sikorsky helicopter. He even wrote a personal letter to Igor Sikorsky, founder of Sikorsky Aircraft, to recognize the 20th anniversary of the first flight of a helicopter (VS300) in the United States.
The president wrote:
“You are perhaps familiar with my use of helicopters in recent years. For my purposes they are invaluable. I have also been repeatedly impressed by stories of rescue missions in which their unique capabilities have enabled them to perform with particular effectiveness … saving lives that would have otherwise been lost:”