Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia US Presidential Marine Helicopter Squadron One ( HMX-1 ), has started flying its newest addition to th...
US Presidential Marine Helicopter Squadron One ( HMX-1 ), has started flying its newest addition to the squadron, the MV-22 B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.
The HMX-1 Ospreys will conduct presidential support missions, like carrying presidential support staff and news media representatives traveling with the president.
The HMX-1 Osprey mission does not include carrying the President of the United States.
V-22 flight operations at HMX-1 began April 26, but flights carrying presidential support staff and news media representatives in the Ospreys will not begin until later this year.
The aircraft, built by Bell-Boeing under direction from the V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275), is the first of 12 to be delivered to HMX-1.
The MV-22B Osprey is a tiltrotor V/STOL aircraft designed as the medium-lift replacement for the CH-46E Sea Knight assault support helicopter.
The Osprey can operate as a helicopter or a turboprop aircraft and offers twice the speed, six times the range, and three times the payload of the CH-46E.
