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JimmyK
02-27-09, 04:26 PM
If anyone didnt watch the news today, President Obama came to Cherry Point/Camp Lejeune today to give a speech to the 8,000(correct me if that number is incorrect) Marines deploying for Afghanistan soon. Me, being my awesome self was one of the few controllers chosen to be there today. Although I didn't actually get to talk to the aircraft I did get the opportunity to be on the ramp when Air Force One arrived. The Pictures were taken with my camera phone because initially we were told no cameras but found out early this morning that wasn't going to be an issue. No matter what your political affiliation its still amazing to get the opportunity to be in the presence of the most powerful man in the world and our commander in chief. Here's the pics.

Here he comes, this is the radar target for Air Force 1

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z273/USMC_atc/IMG00178.jpg

A little bit better picture

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z273/USMC_atc/IMG00179.jpg

And another one of the scope, Air Force 1 is the blip on the top of the picture, Cherry Point is in the middle of that X towards the bottom The blip to the left(west) of Cherry Point is a UH-1, call sign "Headhunter", all they told us was there was Secret Service on board that one, and nothing else.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z273/USMC_atc/IMG00180.jpg

JimmyK
02-27-09, 04:28 PM
Those of us who were in the building were told that we couldn't leave until the aircraft came to a complete stop, so this is AF1 rolling up and me snapping a shot through the glass window in the door.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z273/USMC_atc/IMG00185.jpg

Finally he stops and after confirming with the Secret Service agent inside we go out side and wait for the President.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z273/USMC_atc/IMG00187.jpg

And, here he is. Yes, I know the quality is crappy but its all I had, I had some friends get some better pics, so I'll post those if I get the chance.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z273/USMC_atc/IMG00189.jpg

JimmyK
02-27-09, 04:30 PM
The President stopped and shook hand with the troops before heading off into Marine 1 for the short flight to Camp Lejeune. This is the hoard of Marines, clamoring to get a picture with the Commander in Chief.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z273/USMC_atc/IMG00193.jpg

And here he is walking towards Marine 1, I had it zoomed in and it made the picture smaller, dont know why.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z273/USMC_atc/IMG00196.jpg

Marine One rolling out with the President on board.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z273/USMC_atc/IMG00198.jpg

Thats all I got really. No one was allowed on the ramp for the departure so I just have some blurry through the glass shots that really aren't worth showing. Hope you enjoyed them.

thedrifter
02-28-09, 05:56 AM
Obama spends time on tarmac with Marines
Comments | Recommend
February 27, 2009 - 7:35 PM
By DREW WILSON

HAVELOCK - There are many firsts in a career, but some are bigger than others.

Like the one George Dennard, of Atlantic Beach, experienced on Friday.

The civilian Department of Defense aircraft attendant got to put a pair of chocks under the front wheels of Air Force One.

"It felt good," Dennard said. "It was the first time I've actually seen Air Force One up close. I've seen it come different places, but not like this. Being able to put my hands on it like that was an honor."

Moments later, President Barack Obama appeared in the open cabin door of the jumbo jet and offered a quick wave to the crowd.

He landed at Cherry Point about 11:15 a.m. on his way to make a speech at Camp Lejeune in which he announced plans to draw down American military forces in Iraq over the next two years.

Marine One waited nearby in front of Air Force One as President Obama greeted about 200 Marine and Navy personnel who had been specially selected to see him.

Surrounded by Secret Service, Obama approached the fence-line amid a sea of outstretched hands and dozens of cameras and video recorders.

"It was wonderful," said Sgt. Leandro Crooms, an Iraq veteran who was among those chosen to experience the event. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I stood out here for two hours just to shake his hands for three minutes."

Staff Sgt. Lawrence E. Dean II waited down the line from Crooms.

"It was definitely one of the highlights of my life. That was the Commander-in-Chief," Dean said. "That's a big statement in itself."

Sgt. Akshara Crites, who has done three tours in Iraq, said it was like being at a concert.

"Everybody was real excited to see him. I've gotten to meet a few generals, but this was pretty exciting to meet the Commander-in-Chief," Crites said. "I was pretty excited to hear that Air Force One was going to come here, and I felt really honored to be one of the select few that got to come out here to see it."

Staff Sgt. Robert Baring said next to meeting the commandant of the Marine Corps, seeing Obama was a highlight of his military career.

"I was excited, very excited," Baring said. "I wanted to shake his hand but, well, I'll settle for a video and a picture. I took a lot. It means a lot. He's my Commander-in-Chief. To know that he supports us means a lot."

Obama was on the ground at Cherry Point about 15 minutes before he boarded Marine One and was escorted to Camp Lejeune by a fleet of helicopters.

Upon his return to Cherry Point, Obama again walked over to greet, shake hands and sign autographs for more military personnel on the tarmac, many of whom were attached to the public affairs office at the air station.

His stay was short, perhaps 10 minutes and soon he waved goodbye and bounded up the stairs of Air Force One followed by a cadre of Secret Service personnel. The jet engines revved almost immediately and the first visit came to an end about 3 p.m. when the jet zoomed down Runway 5 and took flight before climbing to altitude over the middle of Havelock.

Freedom ENC reporter Sue Book contributed to this report.

Ellie

jetdoc
03-01-09, 08:48 AM
Awesome, thanks Jimmy....great pics, I especially love the radar shots, cool.

HurricaneRJ
03-01-09, 11:44 PM
Awesome ****. I was ****ed when I learned he was coming to LeJeune. I'm home of Pre-Deployment leave, always wanted to see the man myself.