The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey  is an aircraft that utilizes tiltrotor technology to combine the vertical performance of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed wing aircraft. This gives the aircraft the ability to fly at a higher altitude and twice as fast as a helicopter, resulting in a much longer range. It’s because of these unique capabilities that the V-22 is used by the military for a wide-range of missions. One of these unique missions is with the Marine Corps as part of their HMX-1 Presidential Airlift Squadron.  

The V-22 plays a vital role in HMX-1 supporting presidential travel transporting presidential material and support personnel passengers, as well as members of the media. To ensure smooth transport during these highly-visible missions, Marine aviators train using two Bell Boeing V-22 containerized flight training devices recently delivered to the squadron’s headquarters in Quantico, Va. These training devices replicate the flight environment and allow pilots to practice standard flight maneuvers and procedures, and rehearse complete, realistic missions without leaving the ground. This greatly reduces fuel use and wear and tear on the V-22s.  

The Marine Corps currently have 12 V-22s within the HMX-1 Presidential Airflift Squadron.