Thunder
02-19-2002, 03:39 PM
They are the ultimate executive jets.
The Boeing 747s, popularly known as "Air Force One" -- there are two of them -- are the flagships of the American presidential fleet and the envy of prime ministers and presidents across the world.
The jets bristle with state-of-the-art communications equipment, anti-missile defenses (details of which are, of course, classified) and furnishings befitting the commander in chief of the world's most powerful country -- even the seat buckles carry the presidential seal.
Other leaders and heads of state may have their own lavishly appointed personal jets -- the 747 belonging to Saudi Arabia's King Fahd reputedly has an ornamental fountain on board and China recently took delivery of its first dedicated presidential jet (complete, reports say, with satellite controlled bugging devices.)
Impressive as they may be, no jet can match the sheer jaw dropping awe that surrounds Air Force One.
On every overseas visit, the looming presence of the so-called "Flying White House" coming in to land heralds the start of a massive security, press and transportation operation that accompanies the traveling president.
Any presidential tour is a military operation, organized by the Presidential Airlift Group at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington and carried out with the precision -- and impenetrable jargon -- you would expect from the U.S. military.
Airborne convoy
Accompanying any overseas visit are at least two C-5 Galaxy heavy transport aircraft bringing with them the president's bulletproof limousine, a stand-by limo, a fully fitted ambulance, occasionally his personal helicopter and, for especially sensitive areas, several additional limos for use as decoys.
Along for the ride is a virtual battalion of secret service agents -- uniformed and plain clothed -- as well as their vehicles, and everything else the White House needs when it is on the move.
On top of that there is the press corps, a rotating core of about a dozen travel with the president in the press section on Air Force One -- sustained during the journey by M&Ms provided in custom boxes complete with the presidential seal.
Nonetheless the heavily modified jets, labeled "the safest aircraft in the world" by the U.S. military are distant technological relatives to the more run of the mill jumbos that ply the world's airways.
Air Force One, says CNN Senior White House Correspondent John King, " is a military jet in the true sense of the word."
Designed to operate as independently as possible from ground services the aircraft can fly half way around the world without refueling.
Both Boeings carry their own automated baggage loaders as well as built-in front and aft stairs enabling them to operate self-sufficiently at airports and airfields around the world.
Capable of taking in-flight refueling systems from airborne tankers the manufacturers say the aircraft has "virtually unlimited range" -- its galleys are capable of storing up to 2,000 meals at a time.
To keep the president in constant contact with staff and military chiefs back in Washington the aircraft are fitted with some 383 kilometers (238 miles) of wires, twice the amount found in a standard 747.
All that wiring and indeed the entire aircraft is shielded against the effects of electromagnetic pulse -- a wave of energy generated by the detonation of a nuclear device that can disable unprotected electronics.
The inside of the aircraft features private accommodation, office space and a workout room for the president, first lady and family; as well as accommodation and offices for support staff and security personnel.
Also on board is a stateroom / conference rooms that can, should it ever be necessary, be converted into a fully functional airborne medical center.
Should the unthinkable happen -- somebody has already thought of it.
Of course, all this doesn't come cheap, although the actual cost of running the presidential fleet and of overseas visits is classified.
But when the president travels the world it is not always money that is the first consideration.
When the president travels it is to assert America's influence as a global superpower -- and there are few more impressive displays of America's prestige than Air Force One.
http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/02/15/airforce.one/
The Boeing 747s, popularly known as "Air Force One" -- there are two of them -- are the flagships of the American presidential fleet and the envy of prime ministers and presidents across the world.
The jets bristle with state-of-the-art communications equipment, anti-missile defenses (details of which are, of course, classified) and furnishings befitting the commander in chief of the world's most powerful country -- even the seat buckles carry the presidential seal.
Other leaders and heads of state may have their own lavishly appointed personal jets -- the 747 belonging to Saudi Arabia's King Fahd reputedly has an ornamental fountain on board and China recently took delivery of its first dedicated presidential jet (complete, reports say, with satellite controlled bugging devices.)
Impressive as they may be, no jet can match the sheer jaw dropping awe that surrounds Air Force One.
On every overseas visit, the looming presence of the so-called "Flying White House" coming in to land heralds the start of a massive security, press and transportation operation that accompanies the traveling president.
Any presidential tour is a military operation, organized by the Presidential Airlift Group at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington and carried out with the precision -- and impenetrable jargon -- you would expect from the U.S. military.
Airborne convoy
Accompanying any overseas visit are at least two C-5 Galaxy heavy transport aircraft bringing with them the president's bulletproof limousine, a stand-by limo, a fully fitted ambulance, occasionally his personal helicopter and, for especially sensitive areas, several additional limos for use as decoys.
Along for the ride is a virtual battalion of secret service agents -- uniformed and plain clothed -- as well as their vehicles, and everything else the White House needs when it is on the move.
On top of that there is the press corps, a rotating core of about a dozen travel with the president in the press section on Air Force One -- sustained during the journey by M&Ms provided in custom boxes complete with the presidential seal.
Nonetheless the heavily modified jets, labeled "the safest aircraft in the world" by the U.S. military are distant technological relatives to the more run of the mill jumbos that ply the world's airways.
Air Force One, says CNN Senior White House Correspondent John King, " is a military jet in the true sense of the word."
Designed to operate as independently as possible from ground services the aircraft can fly half way around the world without refueling.
Both Boeings carry their own automated baggage loaders as well as built-in front and aft stairs enabling them to operate self-sufficiently at airports and airfields around the world.
Capable of taking in-flight refueling systems from airborne tankers the manufacturers say the aircraft has "virtually unlimited range" -- its galleys are capable of storing up to 2,000 meals at a time.
To keep the president in constant contact with staff and military chiefs back in Washington the aircraft are fitted with some 383 kilometers (238 miles) of wires, twice the amount found in a standard 747.
All that wiring and indeed the entire aircraft is shielded against the effects of electromagnetic pulse -- a wave of energy generated by the detonation of a nuclear device that can disable unprotected electronics.
The inside of the aircraft features private accommodation, office space and a workout room for the president, first lady and family; as well as accommodation and offices for support staff and security personnel.
Also on board is a stateroom / conference rooms that can, should it ever be necessary, be converted into a fully functional airborne medical center.
Should the unthinkable happen -- somebody has already thought of it.
Of course, all this doesn't come cheap, although the actual cost of running the presidential fleet and of overseas visits is classified.
But when the president travels the world it is not always money that is the first consideration.
When the president travels it is to assert America's influence as a global superpower -- and there are few more impressive displays of America's prestige than Air Force One.
http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/02/15/airforce.one/