Biden flies first mission in long-awaited ‘Marine One’ heli

CHICAGO – President Joe Biden embarked on a historic journey on Monday as he boarded the modern VH-92A helicopter, known as Marine One, for the first time. This momentous occasion comes after years of delays in the program to replace the aging aircraft that transport the president and vice president.

Biden’s flight took place in Chicago, where he is scheduled to speak at the Democratic National Convention later in the evening. The VH-92A helicopter, manufactured by Sikorsky, carried him from O’Hare International Airport to the landing zone at Chicago’s Soldier Field, a location often used for presidential travel.

This event marks a significant milestone in a process that spanned two decades to replace the Vietnam-era helicopters that have been in service since the 1970s, carrying presidents throughout the years.

Previous efforts to purchase new helicopters were initiated by the Bush administration, aiming to enhance communication and mission capabilities in the post-9/11 era. However, these efforts were discontinued by President Barack Obama due to excessive costs.

The new program was later reinitiated during the Obama administration, leading to the introduction of the “Patriot” helicopter during the Trump era. Despite facing challenges with the secure communication system and other issues, the program eventually saw success with the recent delivery of the final VH-92A helicopter.

The Marine Corps has confirmed the resolution of communication issues, although concerns about the helicopter’s exhaust system impacting the White House South Lawn remain. With 21 operational aircraft and two for testing purposes, the VH-92A helicopters mark a new chapter in presidential air travel.

Based on the Sikorsky S-92 model, these helicopters offer improved capabilities compared to their predecessors, the VH-3D and VH-60N models, including enhanced range and capacity.

___ Associated Press writers Tara Copp and Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report.