Air Force One-Impressive Sight

[Catch22]

I got to take my son (18mos) today to watch President Bush land in Joplin. Just happened to get one heck of a viewing area and ended up being right on the route his motorcade took to his speech. Regardless of what you think about the President, I've got to say, Air Force-One, the motorcade (Secret Service sure don't try to hide their guns!), and everything else that goes on with his arrival is quite the deal.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

When George Bush 41 was President, I saw Air Force One flying into Hanscom Air Force Base with two F-15 Strike Eagles flying escort (my home at the time was in one of the approach patterns for Hanscom, which is both a miltitary and civilian airport.. my present home is in one of the departure patterns)

That was an impressive sight.

[RyanEMVFD]

We get to see him land and leave all the time here. Can't wait till it stops. I know the first couple of times it was cool but now I think it's just a headache.

[scfire86]

We get to see him land and leave all the time here. Can't wait till it stops. I know the first couple of times it was cool but now I think it's just a headache.

That's pretty funny. worn out welcome.

I've agree with Catch-22. I've seen Air Force One twice. It is very impressive.

[doughesson]

Earlier this summer,when President Bush and the Japanese PM came to Memphis,I made a special trip past the Air National Guard base to see the planes at least.The security was tight since the world has changed from people being allowed to see what the Prez tools around in to one where attack has to be considered imminent.I did catch a few glimpses but I was driving so had to spend a "little" time trying to avoid the other vehicles that kept crowding my lane.
Nice planes.I know it's because this is supposed to be a "pretty" detail and if you knew me in the Navy,I was the last guy accused of being strac all the time,but those are some well kept planes.

[Firefighter1219]

I saw AF 1 in Gulfort, MS in March but didn't have time to stop for picture. Pretty neat.

[DaSharkie]

I got to take my son (18mos) today to watch President Bush land in Joplin. Just happened to get one heck of a viewing area and ended up being right on the route his motorcade took to his speech. Regardless of what you think about the President, I've got to say, Air Force-One, the motorcade (Secret Service sure don't try to hide their guns!), and everything else that goes on with his arrival is quite the deal.

And you are only seeing part of the portable armory that travels with the USSS. You should see what is hiding in the Suburbans.

Got some up close and personals with the USSS equipment when Bill Clinton visited Hawai'i while I was stationed there. Stayed on my base (MCBH Kaneohe Bay) and took 10 minutes for the damned convoy to drive through base.

There is a lot of equipment that you do not see unless you know what to look for and are close to the base of operations for the departed locations.

[FlyingKiwi]

Saw our Grand PoohBah land in Air Farce 0.25 once.

Not impressive.

[LuckyThirteen]

I got to see AF One up close and personal while working as a Security Forces augmentee during Bubba Clinton's visit to Okinawa for the G8 Summit back in '00. It is pretty cool. I see advertisements for special duties to go work on it (comm stuff)all the time, but it never really interested me.

[Catch22]

Saw our Grand PoohBah land in Air Farce 0.25 once.

Not impressive.

ROFL. That's great man.

Sharkie: Like the little black helicopter that flew around starting about 45 minutes before wheels down? I wish I had got to be in the chief officers' roles, they got to see and do a lot more prepping for his arrival. A guy I know was talking about the college kid (at least that's what he looked like) with the assault rifle tucked in his jacket. Said he didn't look like he had anything on him at all until they glanced down when he moved just right to open his jacket a touch. I'm sure that's just the tip of the iceberg.

I was told that the USSS people really didn't have much of a sense of humor to them. Especially when someone started asking about components of the vehicles and such.

[fireman4949]

And you are only seeing part of the portable armory that travels with the USSS. You should see what is hiding in the Suburbans.

Got some up close and personals with the USSS equipment when Bill Clinton visited Hawai'i while I was stationed there. Stayed on my base (MCBH Kaneohe Bay) and took 10 minutes for the damned convoy to drive through base.

There is a lot of equipment that you do not see unless you know what to look for and are close to the base of operations for the departed locations.

We were able to get a VERY up close tour of the VP's limo and the Suburbans that are part of the Motorcade a few years back. They would always arrive several days prior to the VIP them self. There are many, many such vehicles scattered around the country (and other countries as well). Exactly how many the Secret Service agents would not elaborate upon. We got the impression though, that there must be at least a half dozen, or more in the U.S. alone for both the Pres. and the V.P.

The Secret Service has used several of our stations on several occasions to house the various vehicles as well as several of the agents, prior to the President/Vice President coming to town.

We were allowed to sit in the limo, and the 'Burbs and look at some of the armor and at a lot of the "hardware" in the seat holsters and such. Many questions were answered by the agents, but many more were not.

There was always an agent guarding the vehicles, 24/7, but they were all very, very personable and cordial to all of us.

It was incredibly interesting, to say the least.




Kevin

[mcaldwell]

I was in Alberta for the 2002 G8 summit, and had a chance to see both Air Force one, and one of it's counterparts (Air Force Two??? ).

They were parked at the Calgary Airport along with the big jets for Japan and a couple of other nations who didn't paint thier flags large enough for me to see. Each one was parked in opposite directions, on opposite runways. I never did find out if it was just for Bush and Cheney to fly separate (which is usually standard for heads of state), or some other reason.

That was impressive enough, but along the Trans-Canada Highway into Kananaskis country I passed several dozen Canadian troop transports ferrying troops around the site, and then a whole convoy of the white Secret Service Suburbans.

As I continued, I noticed three small choppers circling at a distance, and presumed it was police observation craft, and then suddenly 3 large choppers (I am almost certain they were Blackhawks/Pavehawks) came into view circling slowly above the highway. As I approached, I noticed there was no traffic on the other side, and then a large presidential (I presume) motorcade drove past. It was an extremely impressive display of Security.

In one of my roles here at the resort I am responsible for corporate security. I am more than familiar with most Canadian Government Security Procedures, as we occasionally host gov't meetings, but that was something to behold. I shudder at the thought of the cost of such measures.

[scfire86]

but that was something to behold. I shudder at the thought of the cost of such measures.

A friend of mine who is familiar with moving the President said the motorcade has become so extensive it is almost a cottage industry.

[DaSharkie]

I was told that the USSS people really didn't have much of a sense of humor to them. Especially when someone started asking about components of the vehicles and such.

The SAs with the USSS are very personable. Very professional. When you consider what they do, and the past attempts on sitting Presidents you begin to view anyone asking questions as a threat - until proven otherwise.

They are all business. Always have been. Much better to get along with than the Fibbies.


There is no one that they do not trust wholeheartedly. That is why POTUS and VPOTUS are constantly checked on when an agent is not in the room - such as the oval office or private quarters in the White House.

No one is above reproach.

[fireman4949]

It was interesting that the agents that stayed in our quarters at the station would not eat the food we cooked. They did eat with us, just not the same food we ate...Smart men!