Air Force One

6/11/04 | self

[Huntress]

I've been watching the coverage of President Reagan's funeral, and it appears to me that his body and funeral party are being flown on Air Force One. Can anyone confirm this, or comment on the protocol for Air Force One in this situation? Personally, I think it is a very nice and fitting tribute to President Reagan, and an extremely classy gesture by President Bush to allow it.

[Kaslin]

Knowing what a classy guy President Bush is, yes he would. The money spent on this funeral is next to nothing compared to what the nation gets out of it. Every President who requests it gets this kind of funeral, even IMPOTUS.

Since Billy Jeff has yet to make his funeral arrangments, which he has to make before leaving office, I doubt we have to worry about it. It's obvious he thinks he will live forever. Maybe he's the anti christ?

Just a thought

[Thumper1960]

That President Bush ordered the plane taking President Reagan "home" to be designated Air Force One would show great and deep respect for President Reagan. It would also show that President Bush is not a small man and would feel unthreatened by RR's legacy and memory.

A nod and gesture that does speak volumes.

[Darlin']

If that is the case, although it appears the original post has now been pulled, then I apologize. I read a post from a recently registered poster and responded, I should have traced it back one more step.

[ican'tbelieveit]

I bet she did have a hand in choosing how it would eventually look, but they weren't finished until the Reagan's were out of office. So you may have read right.

[texasflower]

Clinton hasn't made his funeral arrangements?

[Melpomene]

Here's an interesting thread on what appears to be a fairly knowledgable website about these matters. According to these guys, whenever any member of the president's family is on a plane, the plane's call sign is "Executive One Foxtrot." See reply #28.

[Thumper1960]

I thought I had heard that the aircraft used for presidential travels would have counter measures to deter any possible attack on the aircraft. If not, I'd hope they'd consider doing so.

Also, does anyone know if the flights taken by RR, to and from DC, were escorted by military jets?

[David1]

No, not true. The call sign Air Force One is reserved only for the sitting president. He cannot just give it away. The call sign when the body of ronaldus magnus was on board was SAM 28000. SAM= Special Air Mission. 28000=the tail number.

[Kaslin]

Nope, not according to Rush he hasn't and you shouldn't really be surprised

[texasflower]

Darlin', read the text in italics in post 41. Link below.

That is the complete post that was pulled. Huntress was responding to that, saying yes, Clinton would get the same courtesy, but maybe the silverware would have to be locked up.


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1152022/posts?page=41#41

[Rebelbase]

" He cannot just give it away."

The CIC does what he wants.

[A.A. Cunningham]

The VH-3 the Army dumped into the Potomac.

[Henchster]

Clinton hasn't made his funeral arrangements?

Sure he has. He's having a kegger party in the parking lot of the Little Rock, Arkansas Hooters.

[David1]

No, you are wrong. It is a myth that Bush allowed the call sign AF One to be used when ronaldus magnus body was on board. It never happened. It is done only for the sitting president. The fact is that AF One was never used. Only SAM 28000.

[eXe]

Hey, If Clinton croaks while Bush is in office, and he lets them use the plane, he could always call it

Cigar-One

:)

[leadpenny]

Ford had advisers. I doubt he made the decision in a vacuum. Probably no way to check now but it was the story floating around Davison after the deactivation.

[David1]

In a gesture of respect to President Reagan and to Nancy, President Bush ordered that the plane Bearing President Reagan (which is one of the two used by President Bush) be designated as "Air Force One." A small gesture, but one which speaks volumes. No, that never happened. The call sign AF One is only used for the sitting presidents to avoid any confusion. Therefore, the call sign for when the body of Reagan was aboard was not AF one. It was SAM 28000. SAM= Special Air Mission. 28000=tail number

[texasflower]

you shouldn't really be surprised

I suppose not.....

[David1]

No, because Reagan's plane's call sign was not Air Force One. It was SAM 28000.

[texasflower]

LOL!