Presidential pilot

WASHINGTON D.C. —Capt. Nick Turner has fulfilled one of his major career goals.

Not only has he completed the training to place him in the squadron to fly the president of the United States, he has carried both President Barack and Michelle Obama on his helicopter.
Though he has accomplished this goal, he communicates as though he has not forgotten his southwest Iowa small town roots.
It was his father, Larry Turner, who revealed that Turner has attained the rank of captain. His father is confident captain will not be last rank given to his son.
When asked if he was proud of his son, Larry Turner said, “Oh, my goodness. I had a fellow call me the other day and ask if I had any buttons left on my shirt.”
Capt. Turner, part of the Heavy Marine Helicopter-Squadron 362 (HMH-362), has worked his way up to the position and honor he holds today. Turner’s three deployments prior to this assignment were Okinawa, Japan, Al Asad, Iraq and Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.
One of his goals was to be selected to fly the United States Commander-in-Chief. Turner’s HMH-1 training began a few months after Barack Obama became the country’s Commander-in-Chief.
Turner’s “very awe-inspiring” piloting of the CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter to carry the president and his wife took place for the first time on Oct. 31. The First Couple was carried from the South Lawn to Andrews Air Force Base so they could begin their 10-day trip to Asian countries.
“It was a very awe-inspiring event landing on the south lawn. I can tell you (the lawn) looks a lot bigger on TV than in real life. We have to position ourselves perfectly on three aluminum disks that are placed on the lawn prior to our arrival,” Turner said.
HMX-1 has about 80 pilots ready to carry out a variety of assignments and responsibilities to help the president’s shorter commutes as close to flawless as possible, whether within the United States or on international visits.
Pilots cannot be assigned to carry the first family without completing about a year of special training.
Our nation’s presidents cannot just go out, get in a car and head down the congested highways of Washington, D.C. unnoticed or unattended. A automobile caravan is required for safe ground movement of the president from one location to another.
Turner said automobiles are often impractical for the president because of the inconvenience it would bring to thousands of commuters using the congested streets and expressways in Washington D.C.
Additionally, the helicopter flight can be expected to be less risky and more efficient.  
When Turner or his fellow-pilots pick up the president, a trip that could experience traffic delays and take up to an hour to complete is safely over in a matter of a few minutes.
Turner, who graduated from Griswold High School in 1997 and whose parents, Larry and Judy Turner lives in Elliott, joined the United States Marine Corp in 2001. He was selected for the program that would eventually allow him to begin carrying the first family (HMX-1) in 2009.
Turner said his wife, Kimberly, and their four children, have settled into their life together in Virginia. Some of his assignments have not allowed them to be under the same roof. He served in
Their children, Mckenzie, 13, Trevor, 6, Addison, 3, and 15-month-old Tyler are enjoying their home in Virginia and adjusting to their life there. Still, he said, they find themselves missing being home in Iowa.
“If I had any advice to give the younger generation, it would be to not forget where you came from and those “small town Iowa” morals, values and that hard work can make you successful if you don’t give up,” the Marine Captain said.
Both of his parents are proud of their son’s accomplishments. They remember the warm response Turner received when he spoke at Veterans Day programs a year ago.
 “I think he’ll make Major one of these days,” Larry Turner said. “Others tell me Nick’s going to make General, so now I say, ‘I have one last thing to live for, and that’s to see him make General.’”