Search - On Board Marine One (Ws Sub) on DVD

Good Supplement to "On Board Air Force One"

H. Sapiens | 02/02/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"[This capsule review applies to the version of the program aired on National Geographic Channel in January, 2009.]

I have seen many (all?) the documentaries available on Air Force One, but I had always craved more information about the other prominent presidential aerial transport, Marine One. "On Board Marine One" at last gives us a rare look inside that helo and the unit (HMX-1) supporting it.

The storyboard of the film progresses in logical fashion from Marine Base Quantico to the White House to an actual transport mission. We observe the lone crew chief practicing his drills until they are absolutely perfect, would-be pilots undergoing simulator exercises followed by actual practice approaches and landings on the South Lawn of the White House and, finally, we travel with HMX-1 to New York City as they prepare to shuttle President George W. Bush from JFK Airport (where he arrives on Air Force One) to the Wall Street Heliport in preparation for his visit to the United Nations. The footage inside and outside the helicopters is outstanding and is as close to flying with the president as most of us are ever likely to get.

Witnessing the consumate skill that the members of HMX-1 bring to their job, you will come away with enhanced respect for the small group of incredibly hard-working people who, as the unit commander says, "are not special Marines doing an ordinary mission" but "ordinary Marines doing a very special mission."

[Note: There will no doubt be an updated (or new) version of this program once the new Marine One enters service, but don't let that delay you in acquiring this gem of a program. I would hope that National Geographic will offer a special disc set pairing this program with its mate, "On Board Air Force One"--maybe in time for Father's Day?]"