The United States Air Force has established two new aircraft squadrons to support the Presidential travel needs during the campaign season. The 305th and 306th Expeditionary Airlift Squadrons were activated as subordinate units of the 89th Airlift Wing on December 1, 2011. The 305th will operate out of New Castle, DE, with 5 C-130H medium lift transport aircraft,8 full sets of aircrew, 60 maintenance personnel, and 12 operations personnel are assigned. The 306th will operate out of Andrews AFB, with 4 C-17 heavy lift transports,7 full aircrew, 60 maintenance personnel, and 10 operations personnel will be assigned. Operations for the two squadrons are to commence in April, and will run through the election. The aircraft and personnel will be released back to their original units after the election. This is factual: see, http://www.dcmilitary.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111209/NEWS09/712099912/89th-activates-2-eas-squadrons&template=PrinterFriendly ***Question: Do you think Obama will tell these airmen that he has proposed cutting their healthcare benefits?
I have a sneaking suspicion this is the same thing other incumbents have done. Maybe a bit more extensive, but still ====
It would be interesting to compare this to other incumbants in cost. I wonder how it would come out. I don't ever remember two additional squadrons being created for a past incumbants campaign, but I might have just missed it. That being said, I wouldnt want them wasting taxpayer $ doing it either. Seems that we are used to getting kicked in the butt and this one just kicks harder. I wonder if this will get on main stream media?
I don't see the problem... i mean everyone wants more jobs don't they? and here he is doing just that... well over 200 new jobs.... just like he promised...
It seems worse than it actually may be As Ghrit has indicated, this perquisite has probably been used by previous Commanders in Chief ,but this one may be the Super Mario (tm) of CinCs, taking it to the next highest level. It seems worse than it may actually be, and although it undoubtedly riles a number of right wing conservatives that Obama should have any advantages at all, there may well be some benefits to the nation of this arrangement. Firstly, although the US Airforce has a nominal increase in its order of battle, by the reactivation of two squadrons of a total of 9 aircraft, this doesn't represent an increase of 9 aircraft over and above what the Airforce already had. The air crew, maintenance crew and operational staff are a slightly different matter, as it will be a mix of permanent airforce personnel; plus reservists and Air National Guard airmen (who are temporarily additional to the normal permanent establishment). It's not as if the USAF put in an order with Boeing or McDonald Douglas for additional aircraft just for this one gig, or that two squadrons worth of crew was recruited and trained just for the Presidential flying circus. They were assets already available for tasking to that mission....just that the aircraft may otherwise have been on the ground, being polished super shiny by people with no better task to perform. What does this deployment represent to the USAF's capabilities?? Well, it represents increased flying time for Permanent USAF, Reserve and Air National Guard flight and maintenance crews than might otherwise be the case...which can only be good for maintaining the sharp edge of the USAF's combat capabilities yes?? I am doubtful that there would be many who wouldn't jump at extra flying time...especially Air Reservists and Air National Guard crews. USAF Airframes and fuel are possibly being used at a lesser expense to the US Taxpayer than hiring commercial aircraft and paying for the commercial airline's profit margin as well. That is a supposition that of course needs to be tested, but the USAF media release indicates that using USAF assets would save more than US$18m, mainly in fuel savings. FedExing a President and his entourage, plus marquees, performing donkeys, and sundry media clowns can't be all that cheap. (There are just so many media clowns that can fit in Airforce 1 at any one time.) It will also undoubtedly provide some photo opportunities opportunities for the President, and some teary WWII transport command veterans and their families to share past glories, re-fighting D-Day, Market Garden and Varsity air transport operations. It would be a great PR opportunity for Obama...why would he miss it?? He couldn't be as cynical an opportunist as his Republican rivals could he?? "We now return you to your regular program of bashing Obama, Democrats and libtards......please adjust your volume accordingly" ; )
So now bobo wants his own personal Airforce......? Maybe he plans to ship dead voters across the nation from precinct to precinct.
Look on the bright side. Look on the bright side SW....his Majesty's personal airforce could consist of attack helicopters, GA fighters, intercepters, and COIN aircraft. Be thankful for small mercies.
You ever watched the POTUS make a visit somewhere? Last time Dubya came to town two copies of Marine One landed at Joint Systems Manufacturing Center while a half dozen Apache gunships hovered in a ring around it.
I wonder who Obama's double is? Point taken...unpopular kings and presidents can't take too many precautions...I wonder who is Obama's double?....radar dishes that size couldn't be too easy to replicate.
LOL Yeah according to the article he will have 4 C-17 Globemasters at his disposal... I don't know the particulars on that aircraft but if a C-5 can haul 6 Apache's I'd imagine the C-17 can move a couple.
When the First Bush visited Tallahassee, Florida during my days in Airport Security, the SS came to check airport security around the perimiter and at the 'old terminal' where he came in (not the main terminal). All flights were delayed a half hour before and after his arrival/departure. We had the C141 Starlifter at that time deliver the vehicles, then Airforce One (Boeing 747) touched down. We never actually saw George Sr. Much less brouhahha than they do nowadays! Maybe all the extra Heavy-Lift is for moochelle's ever growing ring of orbitting attendants?
if you are wondering about the pace of Obammy's attendance at fundraisers ...... he's leading the pack compared to the previous 6 ex presidents ...... he's actually has attended almost 5 times as many as Jimmy Carter ..... Between his campaigns and vacations he must have set some kind of actual work advoidance record ......
Amazing he stumps for funds so much when his sugar daddy George Soros and other foreign interests are bankrolling him...... But then, campaigning is the ONLY thing he knows.
Not so sure about that.... I think her "Head" would be a very tight fit in a C-17.... Lots of inside that.... ..... YMMV....