Posted on 11/04/2010 2:46:13 PM PDT by STARWISE
Video - Col. Mark Tillman's talk
• Commander of Air Force One (2001-2009) • • Air Force One Pilot on September 11, 2001 • • Commander of 250 person crew • Selected by the White House as the nation’s 12th Presidential pilot, Colonel (ret) Mark W. Tillman served President George W. Bush as pilot and commander of Air Force One from 2001-2009. • As the leader of a large organization, his tenure was marked with excellence and an adherence to a Zero Fail philosophy. • Col. Tillman commanded Air Force One through multiple national events. Most notably, he protected the President and his staff on the day of September 11, 2001 by escaping and evading many potential threats. • Through careful planning and flawless decision-making, Col. Tillman and his crew provided two urgent needs for the President--complete safety and constant connection to the nation's first responders. • President Bush's seemingly impromptu Thanksgiving visit to the United States military in Iraq was another highly regarded success of Col. Tillman and his crew. The challenge was unprecedented--transport the most targeted man in the world into the heart of terrorism. • One mistake would have left the President open to attack and cost the lives of US service members. • Col. Tillman personally orchestrated and executed the covert operation with flawless success. His planning, done in complete secrecy, allowed for a complete surprise to the entire world including the press. • Col Tillman later brought President Bush into the war zone on three other occasions and defended against numerous threats during his tenure as Presidential Pilot. • Each of these experiences have been declassified and serve as a centerpiece to Col. Tillman's keynote messages on leadership, teamwork and the Zero Fail policies. • Col Tillman’s distinguished career spans 30 years in the United States Air Force. Utilizing his Bachelors of Science degree in Chemical Engineering (Tulane Univ ’79), he served as a Rocket Propulsion Engineer upon entering the service but was quickly selected to attend USAF pilot training. • His flying experiences include time as a T-37 Instructor Pilot for undergraduate pilot training, C-130 transport pilot, VIP airlift as a pilot in the Gulfstream III and IV and Presidential pilot in the VC-25 or Boeing 747. • He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 2004 and promoted to Brigadier General by the President of the United States—the first military line officer to receive this honor (not confirmed by the Senate Armed Services Committee). • A thought-provoking and riveting story teller, Col. Tillman continues to mentor others as a consultant in the aerospace industry and flying as a corporate pilot. • He approaches each opportunity with the same personal mantra, "Zero failure doesn’t just happen ... successful leaders make it happen."
” He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 2004 and promoted to Brigadier General by the President of the United States—the first military line officer to receive this honor (not confirmed by the Senate Armed Services Committee).”
I had forgotten that he was not confirmed by the Senate (made me angry at the time, though). I wonder if he could now be confirmed?
Very interesting video !
In the near future we will probably hear of the courageous people that jumped in the line of falling coconuts to save Obama. (yes its sarcasm)
Hearing stories like this and seeing the bravado is heart warming to say the least, my stepdaughter wants to enlist in the Air Force and my son will be heading to one of the branches in a couple of years.
Nice......another great American
People can say what they want about Bush but he wore the uniform, loves the troops and his country.
If I were a high school teacher I would show this to my classroom.
Air Force One
George W. Bush’s Whirlwind Tour on September 11th
http://911research.wtc7.net/planes/airforceone.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Jan. 17, 2009
Air Force One Pilot Calls It Quits
Pilot Who Flew George W. Bush Nearly 2,000 Times, Including On 9/11, To Retire From Air Force
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/17/politics/main4731488.shtml
Amen!
How very amazing that it was his very Nat’l
Guard unit jets from Texas were the ones
that flew cover .. all the way.
Sept. 10, 2003
The President’s Story
The President Talks In Detail About His Sept. 11 Experience
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/17/politics/main4731488.shtml
Excerpt:
In a series of exclusive interviews about the events of 9/11, Correspondent Scott Pelley spent two hours with Mr. Bush - one on Air Force One and another in the Oval Office - just before the first anniversary of 9/11.
60 Minutes II found that the president was still moved, sometimes to tears, when he remembered Sept. 11.
“Not me. I made the pledge to myself and to people that I’m not going to forget what happened on Sept. 11. So long as I’m president, we will pursue the killers and bring them to justice. We owe that to those who have lost their lives.”
The memories come back sharp and clear on Air Force One, where 60 Minutes II joined the president for a trip across the country. We wanted to talk to him there because that is where he spent the first hours after the attack.
I was explaining to my kid a couple of minutes ago about Bush being threatened in India and how every day, every hour, is like walking in Manhattan at rush hour. Billions of people everywhere. So, if someone wanted to protect someone, India is not the place. Thanks to all the guys who do this work.
What a great story teller! That was totally wonderful.
Awesome!
Wow! Amazing! Thanks so much for posting this and the ping!
Great story. Thanks for posting.
Welcome .. ;)
That’s pretty cool.
BTTT
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