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Marine One is the call sign of any United States Marine Corps aircraft carrying the President of the United States; usually operated by the HMX-1 "Nighthawks" squadron. The first use of helicopters for presidential transport was in 1957 by Dwight D. Eisenhower. Marine One is sometimes the preferred alternative to motorcades, due to expenses and logistics; and the controlled environment of a helicopter transport adds greatly to the safety of the president.
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In 1962, Boeing introduced U.S. presidents to modern jet transportation with the introduction of the Boeing model 707-320B. In all, seven presidents were served by the 707-320B.
Today, the chief executive flies aboard a specially configured 747-200B, the newest and largest presidential airplane. Its capabilities include longer range for presidential travel, aerial refueling, self-sufficiency at airports around the world. Air-Force One also known as the "Flying Oval Office" has 4,000 square feet of interior floor space; which provides accommodations for a conference/dining room, living quarters for the president and the first lady, an office area for senior staff members, another office that converts into a medical facility when necessary, work and rest areas for the presidential staff, media representatives and Air Force crews, two galleys that can provide 100 meals at one sitting, multi-frequency radios for air-to-air, air-to-ground and satellite communications. Today's Air Force One is equipped with both secure and unsecured phone and computer communications systems, enabling the president to perform duties while in the air in the event of an attack on the United States as shown on September 11, 2001. His personal staff, number in the thousands with Rahm Emanuel as the Chief of Staff!
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