28-07-2025
Keir Starmer's Marine One ride is a rare honour
When Sir Keir Starmer climbed aboard Marine One he joined a small set of British leaders invited to ride on the presidential helicopter.
The Prime Minister made the short hop from Turnberry to Prestwick airport alongside President Donald Trump on Monday aboard one of the US Navy's new Sikorsky VH-92a Patriots, which carry the famous 'Marine One' call-sign only when the president is aboard.
The two world leaders made the journey after a bilateral meeting in Mr Trump's golf club, after which they spent an hour fielding questions from journalists on everything from immigration to Gaza.
Dan Connor, a former Marine One pilot, said Sir Keir's inclusion on Marine One was a rare honour. 'Think about it. Air Force One can carry 60, 70 passengers,' he said of the presidential plane. 'Marine One has room for just 12.'
It is a privilege reserved for popes, royalty and the occasional British prime minister.
Tony Blair flew with Bill Clinton, the then US president, to the prime minister's country residence Checkers in 1998 after a G8 meeting in the UK. He also flew with Mr Clinton's successor George W Bush to Camp David, the presidential retreat.
Margaret Thatcher was also ferried to Camp David to meet Ronald Reagan (who collected her in a golf cart) and later George HW Bush.
And more recently David Cameron was offered a ride from Texas to Canada for the G20 summit in 2010 by Barack Obama, when the British prime minister's helicopter was grounded by a mechanical issue.
American presidents have used helicopters to get around ever since 1957 when President Dwight D Eisenhower wanted a quicker way to get to his summer home in Pennsylvania.
Since then they have become the usual mode of transport for short journeys, offering easier logistics and better security than motorcades.
Marine Helicopter Squadron One has been updating its fleet with the VH-92 Patriots during the past year.
The helicopters are nicknamed 'white tops' because of their distinctive livery and are kitted out with communications equipment and anti-missile defences.
As a security measure, Marine One often flies in a group of three identical helicopters. One carries presidential aides, one is a decoy and one carries the president.
On this trip, the helicopters are also accompanied by a handful of Osprey MV-22 tilt rotor aircraft, carrying journalists and other staff, including Secret Service agents.
The introduction of the VH-92a helicopters was delayed by several years and they have yet to fully replace older models still flown by the squadron. Among the problems was the way its exhaust system scorched the manicured South Lawn of the White House as they took off and landed.
Mr Connor, who flew the older VH-3D Sea King, said the aircraft were outfitted to be more comfortable than the usual
'It's very comfortable, but you'll be on corporate jets that will be a lot more well appointed,' he said. 'It's still a Navy aircraft, and there's all sorts of requirements and restrictions placed on us.'
So although the helicopters were outfitted with carpets, the seats still had to be cloth rather than leather.
But he added there were all sorts of tips and tricks to providing a smooth experience.
Air crew, he explained, would take their boots off before climbing into the cockpit to ensure they did not disturb the interior carpets that were swept with horsehair brushes before VIPs arrived.
'They actually deflate the tyre pressure in some of the wheels so as not to bounce and give it a little softer cushion,' he said. 'So you definitely learn how to land it differently to the way you would in a combat environment.'
