Posted on 12/30/2005 10:46:08 AM PST by doug from upland
FR EXCLUSIVE: INTERVIEW WITH HIGH LEVEL NAVY COMMANDER REGARDING PRESIDENT BUSH'S TAILHOOK LANDING
a Navy commander | May 9., 2003 | dfu
Posted on 05/09/2003 1:56:27 PM PDT by doug from upland
After listening to the rantings and ravings of the DemocRATS who are both jealous and livid after seeing a beloved commander in chief do a tailhook landing on the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, I wanted to get the real story.
After about 5 calls and transfers and return calls, I just spoke with a Navy commander who deals with public relations. He is very high level, but because this issue is so sensitive, I agreed that I would not use his name.
When asked whether the visit of the president delayed the arrival of the Lincoln, the answer was a resounding "Absolutely not!" The Lincoln arrived when it was scheduled to arrive. Ships slow down and speed up all the time.
The Navy does not have its ships land early. No. It is just not done. It is a logistical nightmare. Tugs and other port services have to be arranged. In 1991, the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT arrived 20 hours early off the coast of Virginia. It sat out there looking at land for 20 hours. And they never come to port at night.
There were 20-25,000 families and friends expecting to watch the return of the ship and greet their loved ones.
"Psychologically," said the commander, "it would have been a nightmare. People made plane reservations, hotel reservations, long trips by car. Imagine what it would have been like for them to arrive to meet there loved ones, but it turned out that they came a day late for the event. We would have had 20-25,000 people really angry with the U.S. Navy."
The commander gave me his worst scenario for a public relations nightmare. It would be a grandma who drove all the way from Des Moines to see her grandson arrive, only to be told that she didn't make it in time; that they decided to come to port early. What do they say to her?
The commander is amazed at this flap, which has been totally invented by the media. This should be a non-issue with them. Some in the media were sworn to silence, and they were given the May 2 date about 3-4 weeks ago. They knew it would be coming to port at that time. At the appropriate time, the crew and families were notified. You just do not change the date.
As to the landing on a Viking rather than Marine One. The costs are roughly the same. Fuel and other costs for that Viking were already allocated and spent. If the President was not aboard that plane, it would have made a landing on the ship anyway. It would have done so sooner or later because it was in the budget to do it.
What has been lost in all of this, according to the commander, is that it was the Navy's idea for the President to come aboard and make a tailhook landing. They opted for an F-18. Because of security, however, the White House opted for the Viking, a 4-seater which could accommodate Secret Service.
"We would do this again," said the commander. "Ever since President Franklin Roosevelt, every president has landed aboard a Navy ship."
We finished with a laugh at the media. Members of congress and journalists are flown in and not charged. And these are the people creating an issue where none should exist
When a boomer leaves the dock, its return is scheduled to the minute, aprox 90 days after departure.
Probably the same for surface ships as well.
Hi Doug bttt
Hi, shield. Another hate-Bush story was debunked.
Thanks for the reminder, Doug.
Another thing to remember is the liberals and MSM screeching about the 'mission accomplished' banner. The banner was there for the crew, as in completing their deployment, and thus, their mission.
The liberal morons blew that out to mean President Bush was calling 'mission accomplished' in relation to the entire Iraq war. What a bunch of maroons.
One of President Bush's finest hours.
Had his picture in his flight suit as my screensaver for a long time.
The whining and anti war rhetoric had just been turned on a few weeks before when we were still in the invasion mode, but it erupted full steam with the dramatic carrier landing, and has continued unabated ever since.
History will not be kind to the Dims or the MSM.
It will, however, remember a songster named "doug from upland".
Happy New Year, FRiend.
"Ever since President Franklin Roosevelt, every president has landed aboard a Navy ship."
Clinton did that? When?
Thanks again!
Dubya's looking sharp when he made the tailhook landing
"Let's investigate"...Nostrilitis starts his demanding
Flying toward two thousand four...RATS know what will be in store
They have been outflanked...they don't know where next to be turning
They are as desperate as can be...you can see them do a slow burning
Flying toward two thousand...and the poor RATS know what will be in store
We had eight years of Clinton crimes...George Bush has proven he's the right man for these times
To everyone it's evident...we have a really decent man as president
Terry Mac is mad...he has been hysterically screaming
It's his worst nightmare...sorry, Terry, no you're not dreaming
Flying toward two thousand four...and the poor RATS know what will be in store
Flying toward two thousand four...flying toward two thousand four
Flying toward two thousand four...and the poor RATS know what will be in store
Flying toward two thousand four...flying toward two thousand four
Flying toward two thousand four...and the poor RATS know what will be in store
Flying toward two thousand four...flying toward two thousand four
Slick flew onto the TR in March of 1993 for the perjurer's first visit to a Navy ship as CIC.
It was a banner day.
Go Navy.
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