Sikorsky SH-3G Sea King 148309 United States Marine Corps

These are 1/72 scale decals for the Sikorsky SH-3G Sea King, BuNo 148309, assigned to HMX-1 (Marine Helicopter Squadron One), based at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland — one of the squadron's secondary support helicopters operating in the background of the world's most prestigious military aviation mission.

The SH-3G was a utility transport conversion of the SH-3A Sea King, with ASW equipment removed and the cabin reconfigured for passenger and cargo transport duties. Within HMX-1, the Sea King family served in both the primary presidential transport role and in essential secondary support functions — carrying advance teams, support personnel, equipment, and security staff that enabled the smooth execution of presidential movements. While the white-topped VIP aircraft carrying the President drew the public eye, support helicopters like BuNo 148309 were the unsung backbone of HMX-1's operations, ensuring that every presidential mission was backed by the logistics and personnel needed to make it succeed.

HMX-1, the "Nighthawks," is the U.S. Marine Corps' executive transport squadron, responsible for the safe transport of the President, Vice President, and other senior government officials. Based at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, D.C., the squadron maintains the highest standards of crew training, aircraft maintenance, and operational security in the U.S. military — standards that applied equally to its support aircraft as to the presidential transports themselves.

A fascinating behind-the-scenes subject from one of the most storied squadrons in American military aviation. Please allow some time for decal printing and shipping.