Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Flying Bush to Carrier 'Just Awesome'
AP | 5/02/03

Posted on 05/02/2003 5:56:31 AM PDT by kattracks

Flying Bush to Carrier 'Just Awesome'

.c The Associated Press

Navy pilot John ``Skip'' Lussier has made hundreds of aircraft carrier landings but none to compare with his latest, a picture-perfect touchdown that could have come from the movie ``Top Gun.''

``The pressure was ratcheted up just a little bit, but I tried not to think about it,'' Lussier said Friday on ABC's ``Good Morning America.'' ``I just wanted to focus on it as a mission and make sure I got the president aboard safely.''

Lussier was at the controls of the Navy S-3B Viking jet that ferried President Bush to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln for his speech to the nation Thursday in which he called the defeat of Saddam Hussein a victory in the war on terrorism.

Lussier said Bush, a former National Guard pilot, took the controls and flew about a third of the flight from San Diego to the carrier, about 30 miles off the California coast.

``He was great,'' said Lussier. ``Once he got into the brief he just started remembering. It was a bonding of aviators. When we got into the plane, I gave him the stick and it was like he hadn't left the cockpit.''

Lussier said the carrier landing was a historic first that put naval aviation in the national spotlight.

``That was certainly the first time for him, the first time for a sitting president, the first time an aircraft has been designated Navy One,'' the pilot said. ``It was just awesome.''

05/02/03 08:47 EDT


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: carrierbush; johnlussier; navyone; pictures
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-64 next last

1 posted on 05/02/2003 5:56:31 AM PDT by kattracks
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: kattracks
ABC's Good Morning America?
You mean they didn't report the plane crashed into the carrier?
2 posted on 05/02/2003 5:59:28 AM PDT by rvoitier (There's too many ALs in this world: Al Qaeda Al Jezeera Al Gore Al Sharpton Al Franken)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #3 Removed by Moderator

To: Howlin
ping
4 posted on 05/02/2003 6:03:36 AM PDT by kattracks
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
I have noticed in the newspapers an absense of photos of GW on the carrier with the crewmembers. Gee I wonder why?

Maybe someone can post all of the photos showing a real hero!
5 posted on 05/02/2003 6:04:14 AM PDT by KeyLargo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KeyLargo
"Maybe someone can post all of the photos showing a real hero!"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/904041/posts

6 posted on 05/02/2003 6:06:49 AM PDT by BullDog108 (Feles mala! Cur cista non uteris? Stramentum novum in ea posui.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
I wonder if Mr. Lussier realizes how many people were praying for him yesterday. :-D
7 posted on 05/02/2003 6:07:19 AM PDT by lawgirl (God's divine and all-knowing punishment for the Clintons: American loves George W. Bush)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KeyLargo
I'll ping you over to the "Daily dose" They are all posted there.
8 posted on 05/02/2003 6:08:31 AM PDT by hoosiermama (Prayers for all)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: KeyLargo


9 posted on 05/02/2003 6:12:03 AM PDT by kattracks
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
"Picture Perfect"
It was awsome. But, technically, the pilot caught the #4 wire, which is the wire of last resort. It still kicked major ass, though.
10 posted on 05/02/2003 6:13:35 AM PDT by SJSAMPLE
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KeyLargo

11 posted on 05/02/2003 6:17:18 AM PDT by kattracks
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: BullDog108
FINALLY we have a real man, a real hero in office!
12 posted on 05/02/2003 6:17:39 AM PDT by samanella
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: KeyLargo
The pictures can be found on last night's Dose(AKA A Day in the Life of President Bush, 1 May 2003)
13 posted on 05/02/2003 6:18:01 AM PDT by Maigrey (Member of the Dose's Jesus Freaks, Take a Bullet Republicans, and Gonzo News Service)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
See Bush landing on carrier here on Foxnews.com. There is a "click here to play" about a third of the way down the page. Awesome!

The images of Bush in that flight suit had the women swooning yesterday...Here's one I think perfectly captures the excitement of the day.


14 posted on 05/02/2003 6:18:19 AM PDT by lsee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hoosiermama
Already Done. See later in the thread.
15 posted on 05/02/2003 6:18:32 AM PDT by Maigrey (Member of the Dose's Jesus Freaks, Take a Bullet Republicans, and Gonzo News Service)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: hoosiermama
I had heard from a source late last week, I cannot specifically remember where, one of the reasons the President went out to the carrier in the first place was to stay out of the way. Once the carrier docked, the sailors, marines, and airmen would not be inconvienced by the Presidential entourage/security, when reuniting with their famalies. I have not heard any of the reports relay that aspect of the Presidents visit.

All hype aside, this is a very proud moment, the President EXUDES CLASS. I am so proud to be an American.

16 posted on 05/02/2003 6:29:03 AM PDT by trapshooter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
When Clinton was on the carrier for the D-Day anniversary his groupies stole the towels. What a difference. Thank God W is President.
17 posted on 05/02/2003 6:32:36 AM PDT by The Great RJ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lsee
I confess to swooning.
18 posted on 05/02/2003 6:33:09 AM PDT by Bahbah (Pray for our Troops)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: trapshooter
I have also heard that he insisted that the ship not stop it's homeward voyage for his arrival or departure. He was apparently sympathetic to the sailors and their desire to be home.
19 posted on 05/02/2003 6:34:15 AM PDT by wesdale
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
"and flew about a third of the flight from San Diego to the carrier, about 30 miles off the California coast."

Originally, the Dubya was to have flown on the Viking because the Abe would be too far out at sea for a helicopter to be used for the purpose - "hundreds of miles out" was what was reported. Apparently, Abe has been making pretty close to flank speed because she was just within sight of shore when the Prez flew out to her.

The landing itself was not exactly picture-perfect. The Viking's wings generate a lot of lift, and the bird tends to float on final - which you could see the plane doing over threshold. And he did snag the #4, which you'd like not to do. Of course, the pilot was operating with maximum attention to safety, making sure he cleared threshold. You'd rather go bolter than slam into the deck.

Michael

20 posted on 05/02/2003 6:38:59 AM PDT by Wright is right! (Have a profitable day!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-64 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson