Posted on 06/11/2004 2:08:02 PM PDT by Huntress
I've been watching the coverage of President Reagan's funeral, and it appears to me that his body and funeral party are being flown on Air Force One. Can anyone confirm this, or comment on the protocol for Air Force One in this situation? Personally, I think it is a very nice and fitting tribute to President Reagan, and an extremely classy gesture by President Bush to allow it.
"Air Force One" only applies if the President is on board.
In this case, Bush gave the order to allow this the the flight from California to use the "Airforce One" call sign, even though he is absent.
It's only Air Force One if the current president is on board.
For President Reagan it's Special Air Mission ##### (I can't remember the number. I think it was 38000)
Æ
only if the current president is on board
Should read: this flight and the one from Califorina
Also, I believe there are several Air Force 747's configured the same way - for just such occasions.
Yes, the aircraft being used to transport President Reagan, Mrs. Reagan and the family across the country is indeed the same aircraft used by President Bush as Air Force One.
Freeper Leadpenny is correct when saying that it is only referred to as Air Force One when the sitting President is on board.
This aircraft (Boeing 747) was commissioned by President Reagan, but was not finished during his presidency. The "old" aircraft (Boeing 707) used as Air Force One was retired and will be displayed at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley.
She's SAM-28000
In a gesture of respect to President Reagan and to Nancy, President Bush ordered that the plane Bearing President Reagan (which is one of the two used by President Bush) be designated as "Air Force One." A small gesture, but one which speaks volumes.
I believe both "Air Force Ones" were on the tarmac at Andrews earlier -- one to take President Reagan home to California, and one to take President Bush home to Texas.
>>She's SAM-28000
Unofficial call sign - GipperOne??
Thanks.
Good point, yohan
BTW, when the prez is on a Marine chopper, it is Marine One. Used to be an Army detachment and they used Army One.
And when Bush flew onto the aircraft carrier last year, the aircraft he flew in on was Navy One - the only time in history that that call sign was ever used.
One of the commenters said that, when asked if he had any regrets about things he didn't do in office, Reagan said he was really sorry he didn't get to fly in the new 747 he'd commissioned. He's getting his chance now.
President Bush is a classy guy, so he probably would allow that. I bet he would have the staff lock up the china and silverware though.
The one Bush took back to Texas lifted off a quarter of an hour or so before the one which took the Reagans back to California.
Does this mean there were two planes with the designation Air Force One in the air at the same time?
What? Did you want him to buy Nancy a bus ticket?
and the airplane George Bush was in that landed on the aircraft carrier was the first, and I believe only, plane to be designated "Navy One." It's now in an air museum with that designator on it's side.
I'm sure he will.
The aircraft will use the designation Air Force Zero, though.
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