Presidential Helicopters?

Jay Honeck

Jay Honeck

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Jay Honeck
President Bush is coming to Iowa City tomorrow, and our airport held a "rehearsal' today for his arrival. They closed Rwy 12/30 for a few hours, and -- when we arrived from a day flight -- they had fire trucks out on the grass waiting for the rehearsal to begin.

Within minutes after we landed the first pair of helicopters arrived. Obviously single-rotor heavy-lifters, they looked ancient -- maybe 1960s-vintage? They were in like-new condition, of course, and landed as gentle as a feather. They then sat for a few minutes, awaiting the arrival of the people-movers.

These two eventually arrived, and were also apparently quite old, but, again, were single-rotor helicopters in pristine condition. They landed on the runway directly behind the heavy-lifters, and waited, and waited, and waited. We figured they were probably timing what they expect the president's entourage's departure to take, but who knows? They certainly converted a lot of expensive Jet-A into noise while they were there.

We're planning on being at the airport tomorrow with the kids when the president arrives, but we're wondering: What vintage are those helicopters, and what model? I presume they are Sikorsky's of some type, but they didn't look like the old ones I remember from the space program days, nor did they look like Marine One that the president flies...
 
Did any look like this?
 

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Notwithstanding, of course, that Marine One is whatever helo is carrying the prez at the moment. It could be an R22, if you can imagine!!
 
google CH53 and CH124... either of those?
 
flyersfan31 said:
Notwithstanding, of course, that Marine One is whatever helo is carrying the prez at the moment. It could be an R22, if you can imagine!!
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Its only marine 1 if it a USMC acft. If its an army helo its army 1, and then there is Airforce 1.
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CBF500
 
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I recall a thread on PoA some months back on a fleet of new helos purchased for the president. I don't recall the figures but they were certainly the most expensive helo the feds have ever purchased.
 
sm237 said:
Its only marine 1 if it a USMC acft. If its an army helo its army 1, and then there is Airforce 1.
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Would you entrust the President to the US Army???:eek:


:D:D:D:D:D
 
Marine Helicopter Squadron One operates both VH-3D and VH-60N Presidential helicopters.

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The replacement VH-71 is currently in flight testing and is expected to be placed in service in October, 2009.

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flyersfan31 said:
It could be an R22, if you can imagine!!
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Well, we had one of those buzzing the campus all morning. I don't think that the Pres was visiting, though Stroger was there a couple of days ago. Nope, it was just a marketing photo shoot. :(
 
I have been on the helo that is Marine 1 when the pres is on it. When Bush the first came to Chicago the advon had the helos parked at the military side of ORD (Long since gone). I got to go on board as part of a tour. Nice helo!
 
Steve said:
The replacement VH-71 is currently in flight testing and is expected to be placed in service in October, 2009.
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...as if we don't have the wherewithal to design and build our own quality helicopter. It's disconcerting to have our president ferried around in a foreign aircraft (despite signing LockMart and Bell on the fueselage).
 
The President flies in a formation of three "Marine 1's". I was flying the Tiger from PA to somewhere in VA and went near (not in) the P40 restricted area. Bush was coming out of Camp David going back to DC and the helo pilot was on the same ATC freq as me. When he called up ATC all they said was Marine 1 proceed as filed. I flew right over the formation about 3000 feet above. They seem to fly at 1000 - 1500 ft AGL or so. I was VFR getting FF and was very careful not to make any deviation to course when I was in their proximity. ATC said nothing to me and I asked no questions.
 
Anthony said:
The President flies in a formation of three "Marine 1's". I was flying the Tiger from PA to somewhere in VA and went near (not in) the P40 restricted area. Bush was coming out of Camp David going back to DC and the helo pilot was on the same ATC freq as me. When he called up ATC all they said was Marine 1 proceed as filed. I flew right over the formation about 3000 feet above. They seem to fly at 1000 - 1500 ft AGL or so. I was VFR getting FF and was very careful not to make any deviation to course when I was in their proximity. ATC said nothing to me and I asked no questions.
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When I worked in Bethesda, my office had a nice panoramic view to the west. I saw that flight of 3 headed to Camp David often. Hard to mistake those choppers with the dark green/white paint scheme.
 
flyersfan31 said:
Did any look like this?
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Nope, that's the easily-recognized "Marine One" -- a Sikorsky H53(?). Same one the president has used for generations.

The two heavy-lifters we saw were much larger, but still single-rotor birds. My A&P mechanic, a guy who can identify every aircraft ever made (he's got 40+ years experience, and is a grand champion home-builder) looked at 'em and jokingly said "Those look like Rusky helos"!

I don't know what they were, but we're gonna go see the prez arrive later this morning, so we'll hopefully see them again. I'll try to get some pix.
 
The two heavy-lifters we saw were much larger, but still single-rotor birds.
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CH-53 Maybe?
 

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Steve said:
The replacement VH-71 is currently in flight testing and is expected to be placed in service in October, 2009.
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Ah, yes, the eternally changing design. IIRC, the cost (+time) overruns have been HUGE as the design has evolved.
 
etsisk said:
The helicopter currently sitting in the TAC Air hangar at RDU looks EXACTLY like that, as a matter of fact!

Reckon he's coming here on Friday.
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I was at RDU this morning, they said that the C-17 carrying all the Limos and escort vehicles was due in at 1330. Our passenger showed up early, so we didn't get to see it unload.
 
The president came in at freekin rush hour yesterday and all the major roads were blocked. Kinda sucks that the world revolves around him. :mad:
 
Brook- Al Gore did that in NJ once. Drove down practically the entire NJ turnpike at rush hour to visit Jon Bonjovi. That little bit of discourtesy to visit one of the top 2% of wealthiest Americans cost him my vote. Why couldn't he take a helicopter?
 
Cap'n Jack said:
Brook- Al Gore did that in NJ once. Drove down practically the entire NJ turnpike at rush hour to visit Jon Bonjovi. That little bit of discourtesy to visit one of the top 2% of wealthiest Americans cost him my vote. Why couldn't he take a helicopter?
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Sheesh. :rolleyes:
 
Cap'n Jack said:
Brook- Al Gore did that in NJ once. Drove down practically the entire NJ turnpike at rush hour to visit Jon Bonjovi. That little bit of discourtesy to visit one of the top 2% of wealthiest Americans cost him my vote. Why couldn't he take a helicopter?
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I once got stuck in traffic 3 times in 3 different cities in one day because of President Bush. Airforce One was at Naval Air Station Fort Worth where I got stuck the first time in the morning rush hour by his motorcade leaving there. The second time was in Dallas during early evening rush hour when he was on his way back to Fort Worth after a fund raiser, and then got stuck AGAIN in Waco because of traffic from a motorcade there as he was on his way from the airport to his ranch. He was a major pain in my schedule that day! :mad::rolleyes:
 
I was in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday and kept hearing rumors of Bush coming that day. I think he might have been in Europe at that time, but that would've sucked to get stranded 50 miles from home because of a pop-up TFR! A couple big military cargo planes were there, not sure what they were carrying though.
 

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bkreager said:
I was in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday and kept hearing rumors of Bush coming that day. I think he might have been in Europe at that time, but that would've sucked to get stranded 50 miles from home because of a pop-up TFR! A couple big military cargo planes were there, not sure what they were carrying though.
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Didn't he fly in to address the flood victims?
 
ausrere said:
I once got stuck in traffic 3 times in 3 different cities in one day because of President Bush. Airforce One was at Naval Air Station Fort Worth where I got stuck the first time in the morning rush hour by his motorcade leaving there. The second time was in Dallas during early evening rush hour when he was on his way back to Fort Worth after a fund raiser, and then got stuck AGAIN in Waco because of traffic from a motorcade there as he was on his way from the airport to his ranch. He was a major pain in my schedule that day! :mad::rolleyes:
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I have gotten stuck behind 2 POTUS' and 2VPOTUS'. That is a hazard of having to fly into Chicago ORD. At least the current POTUS pretty much hates Illinois since we never supported him and the his potential replacement is from here so Bush does not visit a lot. If Obama does get in the White House I am sure that Chicago will start to have a lot of those traffic problems that plague other towns that have had the honor of a president from there. But maybe since Obama is a south sider he will use Midway or Gary for Air Force One.
 
KennyFlys said:
Didn't he fly in to address the flood victims?
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Yep. He hugged some victims, stood on some sand bags, and managed to spend about $35 million visiting Iowa City.

At least, that's my estimate, once you add up the expense of:

- Air Force One
- Five heavy lift helicopters
- Two cargo planes
- Over 100 ground support vehicles
- An untold number of Secret Service agents and other law enforcement officers.

As much as I appreciate the power (and vulnerability) of the president, there isn't a king on earth that receives this kind of treatment. If he had simply sent a check for $35 million, that would have been enough to repair much of the flood damage in Iowa City...

Worse was the rough-shod (if polite) treatment we pilots received at our own airport. There were Secret Service agents in our little terminal building, barring us access simply by standing at the door and saying "this area is closed". This was while the president was off doing his flood tour, so we were somewhat incredulous that they could close the terminal building to all pilots. (The president NEVER set foot anywhere near the terminal -- they whisked him into his car out on the runway)

Then we started wondering -- what jurisdiction do these guys actually have in our town? Can these guys really just stop anyone, anywhere, and say "this area is off-limits", or are they just bluffing?

Is there some law written somewhere that says "The Secret Service can make anywhere off-limits to anyone at any time" simply by saying so?
 
Jay Honeck said:
Worse was the rough-shod (if polite) treatment we pilots received at our own airport. There were Secret Service agents in our little terminal building, barring us access simply by standing at the door and saying "this area is closed". This was while the president was off doing his flood tour, so we were somewhat incredulous that they could close the terminal building to all pilots. (The president NEVER set foot anywhere near the terminal -- they whisked him into his car out on the runway)
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VP Dan Quayle came to our offices one day. He was visiting the general manager of the division that I was in. The GM office was at the end of the hall from my office. I stepped out into the hall to go to the bathroom which was right outside my office door. I was intercepted by a SS agent and told I could not leave my office for the next three hours as the VP was down the hall. I requested to just go the bathroom. I was very angry I had to ask like a 6 year old in grade school to be allowed to go.

I think if the SS is so worried about the safety of their principals then they should not allow them to leave the castle.
 
HPNFlyGirl said:
The president came in at freekin rush hour yesterday and all the major roads were blocked. Kinda sucks that the world revolves around him. :mad:
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Cap'n Jack said:
Brook- Al Gore did that in NJ once. Drove down practically the entire NJ turnpike at rush hour to visit Jon Bonjovi. That little bit of discourtesy to visit one of the top 2% of wealthiest Americans cost him my vote. Why couldn't he take a helicopter?
Click to expand...

ausrere said:
I once got stuck in traffic 3 times in 3 different cities in one day because of President Bush. Airforce One was at Naval Air Station Fort Worth where I got stuck the first time in the morning rush hour by his motorcade leaving there. The second time was in Dallas during early evening rush hour when he was on his way back to Fort Worth after a fund raiser, and then got stuck AGAIN in Waco because of traffic from a motorcade there as he was on his way from the airport to his ranch. He was a major pain in my schedule that day! :mad::rolleyes:
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smigaldi said:
I have gotten stuck behind 2 POTUS' and 2VPOTUS'. That is a hazard of having to fly into Chicago ORD. At least the current POTUS pretty much hates Illinois since we never supported him and the his potential replacement is from here so Bush does not visit a lot. If Obama does get in the White House I am sure that Chicago will start to have a lot of those traffic problems that plague other towns that have had the honor of a president from there. But maybe since Obama is a south sider he will use Midway or Gary for Air Force One.
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Whine. ;)

Y'all try living in DC, where it's a daily occurance to be stuck by a motorcade of Bush, Cheney, or many of the diplomats. Seems like every tin pot :D dignitary wants a motorcade. And then there was the Pope.... rush hour and lunchtime....
 
bkreager said:
I was in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday and kept hearing rumors of Bush coming that day. I think he might have been in Europe at that time, but that would've sucked to get stranded 50 miles from home because of a pop-up TFR! A couple big military cargo planes were there, not sure what they were carrying though.
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That's how they carry the limos and SS (Jeep) Cherokees.
 
When Clinton came to Chicago a few times, Duh Mare and his brother Bill, who was Secretary of Commerce, made sure he DIDN'T fly the copter to Meigs again, even if he was going to McCormick Place which is 500 feet away, because ya know, Meigs was an unneeded occupation of valuable casino parkland his wife wanted.

So they closed the Kennedy Expressway during rush hour for his motorcade.

Brother Bill later arranged that Chicago city hall could say, "our fingers were crossed during the deal" about the federal airport improvement funds that required the airport stay open for 25 years, and pay back the funds and as we know, eventually roll the bulldozers.
 
No matter how much I may like any president, the best thing they could do is stay clear of such disaster areas and speak via video link. Yes, the cost of such trips should be sent to the area... not spent to disrupt the lives of those already in shambles.

There was the senator who died a few years back and Bush elected not to attend the funeral because of the hassle it would create for other attendees. That was a good reason.

Edit: A line was removed having realized it was placed in the wrong forum. Oops!
 
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wsuffa said:
Whine. ;)

Y'all try living in DC, where it's a daily occurance to be stuck by a motorcade of Bush, Cheney, or many of the diplomats. Seems like every tin pot :D dignitary wants a motorcade. And then there was the Pope.... rush hour and lunchtime....
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:goofy:I consider that part of living in DC. Don't buy a house next to the airport and complain when planes take off and land!:D
 
etsisk said:
Suburbans, man! Suburbans! Big, black, tinted dark as night Suburbans! :rolleyes:

With some seriously armed tactical teams inside. :eek:
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Which they are very SERIOUS about. Wouldn't even joke with us lowly uniformed folks about looking in side a few of them. No sense of humor with those guys. :rolleyes:
 
smigaldi said:
VP Dan Quayle came to our offices one day. He was visiting the general manager of the division that I was in. The GM office was at the end of the hall from my office. I stepped out into the hall to go to the bathroom which was right outside my office door. I was intercepted by a SS agent and told I could not leave my office for the next three hours as the VP was down the hall. I requested to just go the bathroom. I was very angry I had to ask like a 6 year old in grade school to be allowed to go.

I think if the SS is so worried about the safety of their principals then they should not allow them to leave the castle.
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Should have unzipped your fly and peed on his leg. Then told him thanks you wont need to come out of your office now!:goofy:
________
herbalaire review
 
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