Army One

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Richard Nixon boarding the helicopter in use as Army One upon his final departure from the White House. His resignation would become effective later that day. Nixon-depart.png
Richard Nixon boarding the helicopter in use as Army One upon his final departure from the White House. His resignation would become effective later that day.

Army One is the callsign of any United States Army aircraft carrying the president of the United States. An Army aircraft carrying the vice president is designated Army Two.

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From 1957 until 1976, the callsign was usually used for an Army helicopter transporting the president. Prior to 1976, responsibility for helicopter transportation of the president was divided between the Army and the U.S. Marine Corps, under the call sign Marine One, until the Marine Corps was given the sole responsibility of transporting the president by helicopter.

VH-3A tail number 150617, the same helicopter as in the above image, on display at the Nixon Library. It was in the presidential fleet from 1961 to 1976, and often flew as Army One. Sea King VH3A.jpg
VH-3A tail number 150617, the same helicopter as in the above image, on display at the Nixon Library. It was in the presidential fleet from 1961 to 1976, and often flew as Army One.

The best known helicopters that used the Army One callsign were Sea King VH-3A helicopters that were part of the presidential fleet from 1961 to 1976. During its presidential service, the helicopter was known either as Army One or Marine One, depending on whether Army or Marine pilots were operating the craft. [2] The helicopter, with seats for sixteen, has a seat reserved for the president and the first lady, and single, smaller seats for the two Secret Service agents who always flew with the presidential party. [3]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Harding, Stephen (1997). U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947 . Atglen, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd. pp.  231–32, 235–36. ISBN   978-0-7643-0190-2.
  2. ↑ "Nixon Library Helicoptor". Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. Archived from the original on 6 September 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  3. ↑ Schodolski, Vincent (29 November 2005). "Restoring Nixon's helicopter". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023.

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