FR EXCLUSIVE: INTERVIEW WITH HIGH LEVEL NAVY COMMANDER REGARDING PRESIDENT BUSH'S TAILHOOK LANDING

a Navy commander | May 9., 2003 | dfu

[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.

[BOBTHENAILER]

He said later that he had called her over 12 times and it always ends in the same way ... she is screeming at the top of her lungs and calling him a racist.

They are coming apart at the seams, on national television and on the radio. Talk about ENTERTAINMENT!!!!!!

Whoa baby!!!

[WOSG]

First, my son, and most of the sailors where thrilled to have the President on board. He termed it a "huge" honor. The Lincoln is also about to receive a Presidential Unit Citation, which was another reason to justify the trip to the Lincoln. During the 9 month deployment the Lincoln served in the Afghanistan Action, Southern Watch and in Operation Iraqi Freedom. They flew an untold number of missions and did not lose a single plane either to attack or mechanical problems. Also every sailor that left Everett on July 20,2002 returned home safely on May 6, 2003 (or before).

That is amazing and great stuff!! ... yeah, it is too bad the anti-GOP media is so busy looking for some way to slime the President they miss the BIG story of how well this ship performed!! Well deserved R&R for the crew of USS AL. Kudos to your son for his dedicated service.

[maxwellp]

I also read someplace that President Bush did not want to arrive in port when the Abraham Lincoln arrived because he did not want to distract from the military personnel meeting their families after so long. Class act on the President's part.

I also want you to know that I ran from the room when I heard Hillary's God-awful screaming and rant!

[sarasmom]

That is the secret!
Thank you!

[Grampa Dave]

You are correct except for one big point. The young man in the Navy is Michael SF's son. I was just quoting Michael as documentation that the ship arrive on time and was not delayed.

Now the mediots are admitting that they were told the day that the Lincoln would arrive in its home port between 3 to 4 weeks ago. The Lincoln arrive on the day and when it was supposed to have arrived.

You might want to send Michael SF you message about his son.

[bootless]

Doug, I got to this a little late, but I just emailed this to Sweet Baby James ... hope to hear about it Monday ... just long enough for the Dims to further hang themselves... (sheesh!)

Great job!

[doug from upland]

Thanks for sending it.

[bootless]

The pants were short as last year's pants on a 13-year old.

Here at the office, we noticed that right away, but with a smile. They were NOT custom fit!

[RightWhale]

They were NOT custom fit!

No, just standard G.I.

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

But such a headline would have required (1) some intelligent thought, and (2) at least a semblance of a sense of humor. 'Rats are lacking in both. Have you noticed at how hostile, mean, and ugly most 'Rats are these days?

[JustPiper]

Put this with the Dad ,

Here

and Doug we have a double-header of Truth!!! Bump to you! Hey, can I get a FR reporters pass to the exercise simulation here in Chicago?

The Media Center will be staffed with professional media contacts to assist all media inquiries. Press packets, schedule changes, daily agendas, and other pertinent press information will also be available at this site during hours of operation. Media inquiries during hours when the press center is not staffed may be directed to (312) 746-4000 or (312) 746-5000.

Credentialing

All media outlets are welcome to cover TOPOFF 2. Identification of media personnel covering TOPOFF 2 is important to ensure safety and security at each media staging site. Specialized TOPOFF 2 credentials are not needed for the Illinois Venue; however, media personnel are asked to display current press credentials at all times while at the media staging sites. Members of the media may also be asked to provide additional photo identification.

Please,Please boss I wanna go ;)

[doug from upland]

It would be nice to get press passes, wouldn't it?

[bootless]

I also sent it to David Gold (see above ping) for his live show on KSFO this weekend (www.ksfo.com). Gee, why wouldn't I have seen this on the CBS Evening News?

[bootless]

No, just standard G.I.

And that suits me just fine ...

[doug from upland]

Have patience. This will come back to bite them.

[catfur]

Thank you so much for doing this dfu. Great report.

[bootless]

I'm very patient. So are you... we waited 8 years, didn't we? This will be fun to watch. Maybe we can point and laugh and make suggestions! :-)

[catfur]

This little flight to the LINCOLN, among a myriad of other things, has given the President one of the most loyal and admiring militaries a President could ask for.

You're spot on with that Long Cut.

What a contrast to the POS who preceded him. Just the other night on a news show, a piece of footage was shown in response to the dims tirade about the flight. The footage showed the former fat POS walking about in an ill fitting flight jacket with scowling crew members all around him.

Quite a contrast to the image of our current CIC looking absolutely wonderful with smiles and nuzzles from the crew members all wanting to have a pic taken with their President.

Thank you for your service and thanks for your post.

[SkyPilot]

You are a great American Doug. Thanks for posting this.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Did you know that three LIBERAL Democrats from Congress were also flown out there?

Now that cost some money!