http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone...ite-house-lawn
We have the first images of not only a Sikorsky VH-92 Marine One replacement
helicopter in its full 'White Top' presidential airlift colors, but also of that
helicopter landing on the South Lawn of the White House. Although the Marine
aviators of HMX-1 who fly the President around make landing at the White House
look easy, it is not, with Marine One crews having to avoid a number of
obstacles and touch down on exact markers placed on the lawn during a wide range
of conditions and usually while being watched by throngs of onlookers and the
global media.
The operation not only serves the President, their closest aides, and their
family for daily travel needs, but it is also a key component of so-called
Continuity Of Government contingency plans. During a crisis, Marine One
helicopters would quickly make the jaunt from their forward staging point at
Naval Support Facility Anacostia to the White House where they would scoop up
the President and move them to safety at any of a number of pre-planned
undisclosed and hardened locations.
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In all, 23 VH-92s will replace the current fleet of 11 VH-3Ds and 8 VH-60Ns, 21
of which will fly the President around and follow him or her nearly anywhere
they go across the nation and abroad (yes, a pair of 'White Tops' are airlifted
everywhere the President goes even if they are not used as primary
transportation) or support HMX-1's training needs. The two remaining helicopters
will stay a NAS Patuxent River and will be used for ongoing developmental
initiatives. The VH-92 is slated to reach initial operating capability in 2019
and fully replace the existing White Tops by 2023.
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