Flying Bush to Carrier 'Just Awesome'

AP | 5/02/03

[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

[rvoitier]

ABC's Good Morning America?
You mean they didn't report the plane crashed into the carrier?

[kattracks]

ping

[KeyLargo]

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!

[BullDog108]

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

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

[lawgirl]

I wonder if Mr. Lussier realizes how many people were praying for him yesterday. :-D

[hoosiermama]

I'll ping you over to the "Daily dose" They are all posted there.

[kattracks]

[SJSAMPLE]

"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.

[kattracks]

[samanella]

FINALLY we have a real man, a real hero in office!

[Maigrey]

The pictures can be found on last night's Dose(AKA A Day in the Life of President Bush, 1 May 2003)

[lsee]

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.

[Maigrey]

Already Done. See later in the thread.

[trapshooter]

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.

[The Great RJ]

When Clinton was on the carrier for the D-Day anniversary his groupies stole the towels. What a difference. Thank God W is President.

[Bahbah]

I confess to swooning.

[wesdale]

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.

[Wright is right!]

"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