A President's Visit

Please click the pictures in the article for a larger view, more pics can be found here

President Bush is visiting the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands, May 8 2005 to honor the shared sacrifice of millions of Americans and Europeans to defeat Nazi aggression in Europe. Joining him Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Jan Peter Balkenende, prime minister of the Netherlands.

This fact-sheet explains what President George W. Bush needs for a fifteen hours visit to the Netherlands.

Two Boeing VC-25A with tail numbers 82-8000 and 82-9000

Boeing VC-25A, 29000, 89th AW, Presidential Pilot's office, Andrews AFB, Maryland. Today the 29000 acts as Airforce 1 with the President on board.

Boeing VC-25A, 28000, 89th AW, Presidential Pilot's office, Andrews AFB, Maryland.

VC-25A 

Supporting aircraft:

In advance of every Air Force One flight, the Air Force crew sends Lockheed C-5B Galaxy cargo carrier planes, toting the president's motorcade, to the destination. This collection of bulletproof limousines and vans, loaded with weaponry, keeps the president safe on the ground.

Lockheed C-5B Galaxy, 69-0005, 439th Air Wing, Air Force Reserve Command from Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts. 

Douglas C-17A Globemaster III, 90-0534, 437th Airlift Wing is located at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina.

The first C-17A on Maastricht-Aachen Airport was the 92-1101.

There are nine VH-60N helicopters, they are more luxuriously appointed than the utilitarian UH/SH-60's, the are used for VIP and VVIP transportation tasks, carrying the President and other members of his administration as well as visiting heads of state.

• Lockheed C-130T 164998/AX from VR-53 at NAS Sigonella, Sicily Italy.

• Douglas C-9B Skytrain II,160049/JT from VR-52 at NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.

• Cessna UC-35A 97-00101, 1-214th AVN from Heidelberg Army Air Field, Germany

Presidents Staff and security on travel

• 250 agents Secret Service

• 200 department staff

• 150 advisers national security

•  50 staff members of the White House

•  15 agents with police dogs

•    5  cooks

The President's official vehicle in a motorcade is maintained by the United States Secret Service, and the support vehicles are maintained by the White House Military Office. These limousines and other vehicles are designed to provide the Commander in Chief with all the necessary equipment to handle emergency situations.

With a new design and unique construction under the skin, the new Cadillac DTS limousine is handcrafted and dressed in a jet-black clear coat finish. The vehicle is a considerably longer, wider and taller version of the production model that becomes available later this year. To maintain national security, the limousines are equipped with state-of-the-art protection and communication systems.

The vehicle interior boasts six-passenger seating with comfort and visibility for all occupants. A rear seat executive package features a concealed, foldaway desktop that can be deployed when conducting affairs of state. The rear seats have an adjustable reclining feature along with the adaptive seat system, which senses the position of the occupant in the seat and automatically adjusts the cushion for added comfort. Moreover, rear seat passengers can enjoy their own premium sound system complete with a 10-disc CD changer. Wood accents, rich blue leather and cloth complete the executive interior.

An embroidered presidential seal is positioned in the center of the rear seat back panel, as well as on each rear door trim panel. Presidential seals are also affixed to the exterior rear doors. The U.S. flag is placed on the right front fender, and the presidential standard is located on the left front fender when the president travels in the vehicle. Flush-mounted High Intensity Discharged (HID) spotlights illuminate the flags at night.

More Pics of VC-25A's Visit to Maastricht Aachen Airport (19 Pics)

The impressive tail with American flag of the VC-25A 82-8000 in the evening sun.

Callsign SAM8000, this time the 82-8000 is not Airforce 1

Callsign SAM8000, this time the 82-8000 is not Airforce 1

The President's flight today, May 7th 2005. Visit to The Netherlands (Limburg) 82-9000 USAF 1.

Sniper behind AF1

A very Special sight at Maastricht Aachen Airport, both VC-25A's parked for the night.

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The impressive tail with American flag of the VC-25A 82-8000 in the evening sun.

 

Research: Rob Vogelaar

Photos Marcel van Leeuwen

© zap16.com last page update: 02.11.2008

All pictures courtesy of Zijde Aviation Photo Publishing ©, Rob Vogelaar and Marcel van Leeuwen.