US president's helicopter delivered to Hanoi for state visit

A C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft landed at Noi Bai Airport at 5:25 p.m. and stopped at the hangar for its cargo to be unloaded, including the helicopter and several packages carefully covered.

A C-17 Globemaster aircraft stops at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi on September 5, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

The VH-60N is a VIP version of the UH-60 helicopter that features four-blade main and tail rotors, and is powered by two General Electric T700 turboshaft engines.

The helicopter is used for transporting top U.S. government officials and called "Marine One" when it carries the U.S. president.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first to use a Marine One, in 1957, when he traveled on a Bell UH-13J Sioux.

A VH-60N helicopter (C) is unloaded from a C-17 aircraft at Noi Bai Airpot in Hanoi, September 5, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

The helicopter can move at a maximum speed of 295 kph (183 mph) and is still functional when one of its engines is broken, to ensure its VIP passenger's safety.

There have been five C-17 flights to Noi Bai in the past week, carrying cars and other equipment to serve Biden's visit.

A U.S. secret agent and his dog that arrived at Noi Bai with the C-17 on September 4, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

Biden is scheduled to visit Vietnam on September 10 and 11, upon the invitation of General Party Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

The visit will celebrate 10 years of Comprehensive Partnership between Vietnam and the U.S.