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.

[Bigg Red]

Btt

[plain talk]

Doug, good catch! Anyway to get this message out to the media? Everything stated here about the logistics makes such common sense and shows how clueless the media is about how the military works.

[Publius]

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.

My understanding was that the Secret Service itself nixed the F-18 -- which is a shame. Dubya might have enjoyed trying some aerobatics in an F-18. At least he got some stick time in the Viking.

[doug from upland]

Start sending it to all on your e-mail list and call talk shows. I've been trying to call Hannity but cannot get through.

[MalcolmS]

Helicopters in general are much more expensive to operate on a per hour basis than fixed wing aircraft of the same weight. And, if you haven't noticed, Marine 1 is BIG,.

The trip by jet may have saved money.

I would suspect that Marine 1 and Air Force 1 have costs within the same order of magnitude. Perhaps aeronautical FReepers could chime in.

[BOBTHENAILER]

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.

Great post of some excellent reporting DFU. Now I agree with the Navy, an F-18 would have been a killer.

Think about how many Maxine Waters heart attacks that screaming feat would have caused.

[doug from upland]

When he mentioned "they," I presume the Secret Service had gone somewhat ballistic and the WH acquiesed to their wishes. So the WH decided on the Viking, obviously with the blessing of the SS.

[theFIRMbss]

>REGARDING PRESIDENT BUSH'S TAILHOOK LANDING

Maybe they're just pissed
Clinton never did a MIG
on the Kuznetsov ...

[tubebender]

BUMP...

[Publius]

The Secret Service has a knack for taking all the fun out of things, but I guess that's their job. Damn.

[finnman69]

Good job.

[TomB]

Somebody else brought up a good point. Staying on board the ship overnight and outside of port saved a lot of security and lodging expenses.

[doug from upland]

I read a report earlier that it would have been more expensive on land. And thank goodness, this commander in chief got off the ship and let the crew and families enjoy their glorious reunion without him getting in the way.

[plain talk]

I think you should email this to Sean.

[dalebert]

bump

[hut1hut2]

In 1991, the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT arrived 20 hours early off the coast of Virginia.

That's what the engineering folks call "Liberty Turns".

[doug from upland]

This commander in chief is not being serviced by an intern while discussing life and death matters of troop deployment with a congressman. This is what a real commander in chief looks like.

[N. Theknow]

Someone also noted that the President took Air Force 1 all the way across country when he knew damn well that Greyhound buses ran the very same route.

What a waste of tax dollars!

< /sarcasm >

[knak]

Excellent work Doug!