Retired Bird Enhances Capabilities For Presidential Detail Special Agents

Secret Service agents assigned to the president’s or vice president’s detail are now able to train on an authentic Marine One helicopter that was recently decommissioned and installed at the James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, Maryland.

The Sikorsky VH-3D, which has flown every U.S. president and vice president over the past 50 years, has found new life in its role providing enhanced training for Secret Service special agents. Its predecessor was never actually used to transport the president or vice president, and had significantly deteriorated.

Troy Sarria, Deputy Special Agent in Charge said, "Our existing aircraft had seen better days. It was definitely an aging platform.

“To get the ‘new’ Marine One helicopter, Deputy Chief Mike Jazwiecki initiated a conversation that led to our partnership and relationship with the Presidential Helicopter[s] Program (PMA-274). We worked with their current commander, [Marine] Col. [Alex] Rantham, and their lead maintenance officer, Matt Cooper, in order to get this new aircraft."

Thanks to the new addition to the agency’s fleet, agents have the opportunity to learn more about moving around inside the aircraft and to learn its secrets in a hands-on realistic training environment. The interior configuration matches that of the president’s current VH-92 model and provides trainees an accurate representation of the operational environment they will experience in the field.

Sarria said, "We are able to give the basic special agent classes more and better protective training. This is another step forward in advancing the Secret Service's training capability here at the Rowley Training Center."

The aircraft is also used as an educational display for visitors touring the facility. Sarria said, “We also use this as an exhibit piece. We always stop by here and give them a demonstration on how protection works at airports, since we spend so much time at airports.”

FMI:  www.secretservice.gov/