As a Marine pilot, my highest duty was the safety of my fellow service members and accomplishing our missions in service of America. I became a believer in the V-22 Osprey — a tiltrotor aircraft — despite my initial skepticism, because it improves our armed forces’ ability to achieve these goals.

Military personnel are often wary of change, knowing that even minor adjustments can have life-or-death consequences. Yet my experience with the Osprey made me realize that calculated risk in technology and tactics is vital to effectively accomplish crucial missions.

I began my career as a Marine pilot in the late 1990s, a time when our country was primarily focused on humanitarian operations. Over the next decades, I flew assault support aircraft in missions spanning from the Middle East to Afghanistan. I saw firsthand how the U.S. technological edge makes a difference. Whether supporting fellow Marines, completing combat missions or evacuating civilians, our aircraft and systems provided a substantial advantage over our adversaries.

In 2019, I assumed command of Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), known as the Nighthawks. Based in Quantico, Va., this unit transports the president and vice president of the United States, as well as high-ranking officials and foreign dignitaries. The squadron often operates from the South Lawn of the White House and Joint Base Andrews, Md., and provides support to the president on travel around the world.

Prior to my taking command, the squadron had transitioned its support element from traditional helicopters to the V-22 Osprey. This aircraft is equipped with two rotors that pivot between vertical to horizontal positions, enabling vertical flight for take-off and landing as well as forward flight, like an airplane. While I had been familiar with the Osprey, until then my background was flying traditional helicopters used for troop transport and logistical support.

I served in HMX-1 during the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. During this time, proven platforms such as the CH-46 Sea Knight and the CH-53 Super Stallion were the backbone of our operations. These reliable helicopters were primarily used to transport White House staff, Secret Service, and press personnel accompanying the president.

Having heard colleagues discuss the Osprey, both positive and hesitant perspectives, I was initially apprehensive about replacing HMX-1’s support helicopters. Was the Osprey safe and reliable? Would the Osprey reliability hold up during intense campaign seasons? Could it safely operate near urban areas? These and other questions crossed my mind.

My initial skepticism about the Osprey was dispelled as I realized the aircraft gave our squadron advantages that far outweighed the necessary operational adjustments.

I realized after a few months of flying the V-22 Osprey that its speed, range and versatility were transformational for HMX-1.

For instance, our Ospreys could self-deploy to Europe, South America or the Caribbean, transforming how we supported presidential travel abroad. This task previously required disruptions of forward-deployed Army or Marine Corps units, as they had to pause their planned operations to assist with presidential or White House official travel.

Moreover, high-profile White House missions created friction for units that had not trained together and were suddenly thrust into joint support roles. The V-22 eliminated these complications.

On many occasions the speed and range of the Osprey was invaluable for rapidly responding to an urgent logistical need for our fleet of Marine One helicopters when deployed away from the National Capital Region. Having this integral capability was substantially more responsive than requesting support from another unit to deliver a critical part.

The V-22 also transformed disaster response operations by covering long distances without refueling and enabling remote refueling in areas with compromised infrastructure. The Osprey’s range and speed allow White House staff and Secret Service personnel to rapidly assess the aftermath of hurricanes and other natural disasters, such as the current wildfires in California. This rapid assessment helps planners identify the best location for White House visits to survey disaster situations while minimizing interference with relief operations.

During my tenure, the Nighthawks’ fleet of 12 MV-22s matched the availability of traditional helicopters. We maintained a high level of readiness — with eight to 10 aircraft consistently mission-ready — and regularly deployed four Ospreys across the United States or the Atlantic Ocean with minimal maintenance issues.

This was not due to a unique maintenance team; our department reflected the experience level of a typical Marine Corps squadron, including Marines learning aircraft maintenance on their first tour. As we often said, HMX-1 was not a squadron of special Marines, but average Marines executing a special mission.

While the V-22 Osprey does not transport the president because of special mission communications requirements, it has become the preferred platform for other senior government officials, including at times, the vice president. It has become the preferred platform because it combines the flexibility and access of a helicopter with increased range and speed — offering capabilities that were previously unattainable with a single aircraft. For example, it enables government officials to travel directly from Washington, D.C., to New York City, improving security, time efficiency and rapid response.

My journey from skeptic to advocate of the V-22 was not based on theory or speculation, but on witnessing how the aircraft capabilities enhanced the Marine Corps’ mission. Two tragic accidents 25 years ago during testing made the Osprey a target of critics, and every mishap since has inflamed criticism. The fact remains that from 2014 to 2024 the Osprey has logged a Class A mishap rate of 3.15 incidents per 100,000 flight hours, while the Marine Corps’ aviation fleet as a whole saw a Class A mishap rate of 3.24 during that 10-year period.

The Osprey has proven its worth in an era where rapid response and operational flexibility are vital. It is an asset that has truly expanded what is possible in government executive transport and support operations.

Brian Fanning, a retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel, is a 28-year veteran of Marine Corps Aviation and former commander of the Presidential Helicopter Squadron (HMX-1). He is currently an executive in the utility construction industry.