FR EXCLUSIVE: INTERVIEW WITH HIGH LEVEL NAVY COMMANDER REGARDING PRESIDENT BUSH'S TAILHOOK LANDING

a Navy commander | May 9., 2003 | dfu

[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!