Posted on 06/11/2004 2:08:02 PM PDT by 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.
So Cal Rocket,
You beat me to it! Damn you're quick!
8^)
The purpose is to avoid any possible confusion with air traffic control. Once, I can't remember which President this happened to, the President's aircraft was descending to land and at the same time an Eastern Airlines flight was also preparing for landing. Both aircraft almost identical call signs and it caused serious trouble for ATC and there was a risk of a mid air collision. After that, the military created the "One" designation for whatever aircraft the President is on board.
It was alot less than than it cost clinton to cover up the murder of Vince "where the hell are my car keys" Foster
Actually, the flight is called "Special Mission" with a number identifier - which I think is 2800.
We (and the media) call it Air Force One (AF1) because it is the plane the President rides in.
However .. there is more than one AF1. The aircraft Mrs. Reagan is flying in is the very same aircraft she used when her husband was President, and was the same aircraft she helped to redecorate.
The newest AF1 is only used by President Bush. This is also the aircraft which is designated AF2 whenever Laura is traveling aboard.
They like to fly - and it shows.
The Bent one
#10
It tends to fly to the left.
One quibble with the otherwise pretty cool movie "Air Force One" was that when the Army aircraft re-squawked at the end of the movie, the pilot requested a change of designation to "Air Force One". You can bet your bottom dollar that no Army pilot would ever miss the chance to fly "Army One".
Lighten up and get real.
The only thing it costs is a bit of fuel.
The crew are on the payroll anyway whether they are flying or not. Maintenance has to be done anyway.
Furnishing the plane is an act of respect and I for one dont mind a bit if it takes a few of my tax dollars/
The aircraft will use the designation Air Force Zero, though.
Zipper One..
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.
The aircraft was an MC-130E Hercules flown by the Air Force.
The Air Force Two designator is used for the Vice President.
I dont believe it was used when he went to iraq for thanksgiving
I remember that story about the mixup. Forgot the details.
When I first came to Washington I was assigned to Davison Army Airfield. The Presidential Flight Detachment was just being deactivated. The story I heard years later was that President Ford saw no need to have both the Army and Marine Corp flying the President. A retired Marine Master Sergeant, who had been a civilian in the White House since the Johnson Administration, lobbied those who had the power and the Army lost.
One more: When Carter came into office he asked an aid if it was true that a chopper could be on the South Lawn within five minutes. Someone said, "Yes," and he said, "You got five minutes." Thirty five minutes later, a Marine Presidential chopper arrived from Anacostia. Some red faces for a while after that.
Oh, please. You just tipped your hand. We've learned that sort of monitoring isn't necessary except during a democratic administration. Just ask the White House housekeeping staff or the crew of the aircraft carrier anchored off the coast of Normandy for the 50th D-Day celebration or the crew of AF1. Anything that wasn't nailed down they ripped off and the rest they vandalized.
Your comment reveals you to be very young, bereft of understanding of protocols and decency afforded to any of our former Leaders.
One or the other or both of these planes are virtually in daily use anyway for training and maintenance purposes, etc.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.