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"No! You can't be me! "
Posted on 06/12/2007 9:20:33 AM PDT by OldCorps
When the FBI asked Congress this spring to provide $3.6 million in the war spending bill for its Gulfstream V jet, it said the money was needed to ensure that the aircraft, packed with state-of-the-art security and communications gear, could continue to fly counterterrorism agents on "crucial missions" into Iraq. Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the bureau has made similar annual requests to maintain and fuel the $40 million jet on grounds that it had a "tremendous impact" on combating terrorism by rapidly deploying FBI agents to "fast-moving investigations and crisis situations" in places such as Afghanistan. Interactive Map Mueller's Travels Save & Share Article What's This? DiggGoogle del.icio.usYahoo! RedditFacebook But the jet that the FBI originally sold to lawmakers in the late 1990s as an essential tool for battling terrorism is now routinely used to ferry FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III to speeches, public appearances and field office visits. In fact, Mueller's travel now accounts for nearly a quarter of the flight time for the lone FBI jet able to make international flights. FBI officials acknowledged to The Washington Post that Mueller's use of the Gulfstream is a marked departure from the travel practices of his predecessors, such as Louis J. Freeh, who flew commercially or used a smaller Cessna Citation jet. They said that Mueller's aides first check with the counterterrorism division to make sure the Gulfstream is not needed for terrorism operations, and that the Justice Department approves each flight. They also said that Mueller's logistical and security advisers have urged him to use the plane routinely. "It's not like he is the one checking the box for which plane he uses," Assistant Director John Miller said. "He is the CEO of the FBI's part in the war on terror.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
And why would the head of the FBI’s travels not be considered counterterrorism, since that is now their #1 job?
exactly.
If the Director continues to makes sure there is no conflict in his scheduling, and he continues to get approval from his superiors for the trips, I see no problem whatsoever.
He is the chief official for the FBI, and the comm and security available on that aircraft would be helpful to him in the event of an emergency.
The only time I would have a problem is if in his use of the jet, it was not available for a mission requiring it. But that allegation has not been made.
Another “perfumed prince”, like his cohorts in the military, who is infinitely more concerned with his perquisites than fighting terrorism or war.
Isn’t it true with these expensive jets that they are really only cost-effective if they are used as much as possible?
Doesn't really sound like counter terrorism activities to me. Let's say that he has the G5 in Los Angeles for a speech, and the terrorists strike somewhere without warning (they have been known to do that) and now the jet with all of that special equipment on board is not sitting on the tarmac near where we can assume the specially trained counter terrorism personnel are housed but is thousands of miles and hours away and they have to find alternate transpo. Doesn't sound like a good scenario. But then again Nancy Pelosi needs a bigger jet too.
Sounds about as serious as Alberto Gonzales’ political firings of AG’s to me.
Just who does he think he is? Nancy Pelosi?
Flash! President Bush flew to Europe on Air Force One.
The special characteristic of this aircraft is its international flight capability.
In that scenario, it is liekly that there may well be a few hours spent before approval for a FBI team was granted and it is unlikely that there would be any significant time lost. If there was, then this issue certainly could be revisited.
But with all of the emegencies since 911 and since this aircraft was made avaialble....apparently such a conflict has not arisen. That is not the allegation here, that is just supposition at this point.
U.S. Attorneys????
Yes it hasn’t conflicted with any mission requirements until it does.
"No! You can't be me! "
I've a lot more taxpayer heartburn with Pelosis' attempted justification of a G-5...
I’m waiting for Bush to take a spin in the Space Shuttle.
The first President in space, one for the history books.
He can then copilot on the reentry.
Swell, and then he happens to run into ET and tells em, come on down, the gates are wide open, illegal aliens are accepted, no waiting in line.
Next thing you know, we have little grey dudes running around all over the place.
You don’t like greys, how humanocentric rascist of you.
Ehh, maybe at least they’d be well educated and advanced.
This isn’t AF1 ....
This was supplied for a specific use and is being co-opted
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