New Marine One Facilities Going Up At Quantico

The squadron responsible for getting the President from point "A" to point "B" will have new facilities at Marine Base Quantico in a couple of years. Indianapolis-based RW Armstrong has been awarded a contract to build a 65,000-square-foot hangar for the HMX-1 Squadron, and the helicopters which are designated "Marine One" when the President is on board, along with a 540,000-square-foot taxiway and apron at the Virginia installation.

The Indianapolis Star reports the contract is worth nearly $40 million to the firm, which will partner with Archer Western Contractors of Chicago.

“We are thrilled to work on this prestigious and high profile project, and with such great partners,” said Roland Salman, president of RW Armstrong, in a statement.

President Eisenhower was the first to use a helicopter for transportation in 1957, as a faster alternative to the then-20-minute motorcade from Andrews Air Force Base to the White House. Regular landings on the  White House South Lawn were approved soon after.

Duties for the helicopter transportation of the President became the sole responsibility of the Marine Corps and HMX-1 in 1976. The squadron also provides transportation support for the Vice President, Secretaries of Defense and the Navy, and visiting heads of state.

FMI: www.hmx-1.usmc.mil