President Bush in Maastricht !
05-08-2005, 02:48 AM
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I was on duty when President Bush landed in Maastricht. It was fun to control Airforce 1 at FL330 and then see him land 20 min later through the operations room window.
The runway is like 200m away!!
This was my second time controlling Airforce 1, last time it was Clinton going to Berlin.
The military presence in Maastricht is staggering.... :'( Ground to air, apachi, mobile radars, communication batteries...endless.
The fighter presence over Germany was so dense, I lost count at some stage.
F16, Tornados, AWACS, E35's, you name it was flying....all for one lucky guy.
Exciting, but very costly - the local goverment is picking up the tab for the security
running into millions....for 18 hours.
The runway is like 200m away!!
This was my second time controlling Airforce 1, last time it was Clinton going to Berlin.
The military presence in Maastricht is staggering.... :'( Ground to air, apachi, mobile radars, communication batteries...endless.
The fighter presence over Germany was so dense, I lost count at some stage.
F16, Tornados, AWACS, E35's, you name it was flying....all for one lucky guy.
Exciting, but very costly - the local goverment is picking up the tab for the security
running into millions....for 18 hours.
05-08-2005, 07:56 AM
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Hey Andy545 it sounds like your an Air Traffic Controller. I'm a ATC supervisor at Los Angeles Center. I spent 2 years in Germany in the USAF working airplanes back in the 80's. I look forward to getting back to Europe on vacation with my wife. I hope Air Force 1 didn't tie up traffic for to long. He can be a real pain in the ass when he fly's into L.A. <_<
05-08-2005, 08:07 AM
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Seems like you still got the job
You managed air traffic allright. Good thing you're not responsible for ground traffic, think you'd be unemployed by now. It was a mess.The Dutch wasted a few millions here.
05-08-2005, 08:48 AM
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Originally Posted by f6maniac' date='May 8 2005, 05:56 PM
Hey Andy545 it sounds like your an Air Traffic Controller.? I'm a ATC supervisor at Los Angeles Center.? I spent 2 years in Germany in the USAF working airplanes back in the 80's.? I look forward to getting back to Europe on vacation with my wife.? I hope Air Force 1 didn't tie up traffic for to long.? He can be a real pain in the ass when he fly's into L.A. <_<
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...and so long as we give AF1 10 miles/2000' separation, he's happy. Good thing it was a Sat evening.
05-08-2005, 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by kigerka' date='May 8 2005, 02:36 PM
I know the feeling.? I was working with those F-16's flying in the air.? Kind of crazy for just one guy.
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05-08-2005, 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by garehaan' date='May 8 2005, 06:07 PM
Seems like you still got the job?
? You managed air traffic allright. Good thing you're not responsible for ground traffic, think you'd be unemployed by now. It was a mess.The Dutch wasted a few millions here.
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airport perimeter after duty!!
05-08-2005, 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by JDN' date='May 8 2005, 06:49 PM
Good job, Andy.? 
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05-08-2005, 10:36 AM
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I remember the day he was here to visit Mainz. Traffic was crazy. Airport was closed 30 minutes prior to landing andhighways were closed. Also the citys of Mainz and Wiesbaden were basically shut down.
But it was interesting to see AF1 and the convoy.
But it was interesting to see AF1 and the convoy.