This task was reassigned to VMX-1 in Yuma, Arizona; since the contract award of the new presidential helicopter in 2014 to Sikorsky Aircraft, however, HMX-1 has assumed the temporary role of OT&E for this platform, because of its unique nature and mission[clarification needed].

HMX-1 was commissioned on 1 December 1947 under the command of Colonel Edward C. Dyer and based at MCAS Quantico, Virginia, because of its relative proximity to the Sikorsky and Piasecki plants in Connecticut, and to the Marine Corps schools where most of the original personnel would come from.

[2] After the start of the Korean War, four HMX-1 helicopters were attached to VMO-6 and sent to help the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade at the Battle of Pusan Perimeter in 1950.

[4] On 7 September 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower was vacationing in Newport, Rhode Island, when his immediate presence was needed at the White House.

Orval Faubus ordering the Arkansas National Guard to block black students from attending Central High School.

President Eisenhower responded by sending the 101st Airborne into Little Rock to enforce the Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education desegregation ruling handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court in May 1954.

[5] Realizing the urgent need for his presence in Washington, President Eisenhower directed his staff to find a faster way to Air Force One.

Shortly after the 7 September 1957, mission from Newport, a naval aide to the President asked HMX-1 to evaluate landing helicopters on the south lawn of the White House.

Preliminary assessment and trial flights concluded that ample room was present for a safe landing and departure.

Formal procedures were finalized and HMX-1 began a long career of flying the President of the United States to and from the South Lawn and Andrews AFB, the home of Air Force One.

[5] On 16 July 2009, Marine One flew with an all-female crew for the first time, as the final flight of the first woman to fly the president: Major Jennifer Grieves.

[5] Due to the uniqueness of the VH platforms, all pilots and maintenance personnel assigned are trained by Sikorsky factory-trained instructors.

[9] HMX-1 also formerly operated a small number of CH-46 Sea Knights for utility purposes, and recently retired its fleet of CH-53E Super Stallions.

[9] On 11 August 2013 two MV-22 Ospreys made their presidential debut ferrying Secret Service agents, White House staff, and members of the media from CGAS Cape Cod to Martha's Vineyard during the President's vacation.