playing nice with Air Force One

I've been grounded by a mighty TFR that began at 3pm yesterday.
Evidently Bush 43 is having a weekend at Bush 41's house in
Kennebunkport. So I took my binocs and my radio down to the dock and
waited for the various Ones to do their thing.

First there was a helo sweep of Great Bay, I think by the Coast Guard
because there was a red-orange flash on the aircraft.

Then a grimy gray airliner took off on 34, the usual runway because it
leads away from Portsmouth. Shortly thereafter a voice on the radio
says "We are conducting a sweep of the runway at this time." Gotta
love it: at this time! What were they looking for, debris from the
airliner's tires.

Then Air Force One called in on a 12 mile base leg. The air was a bit
misty so I didn't see it until final. What a huge mother! You don't
often see 747s at Pease International Tradeport, formerly Pease Air
Force Base.

But here's the cute thing: the controllers at Pease (or Portsmouth, as
they generally refer to themselves these days) are always impressed by
their military connection, and they invariably say: "Check wheels
down" to the incoming pilot, even if it's a Cessna 172. But not to Air
Force One! It was the prevailing wind and "Cleared to land." So even
an air traffic controller can be awed by the trappings of power.

Evidently it doesn't take a president long to inspect Pease
International Tradeport! About fifteen minutes after Air Force One
landed, Marine One called ready for takeoff. But by that time the deer
flies were getting to me, and I was indoors.

Blue skies! -- Dan Ford

Claire Chennault and His American Volunteers, 1941-1942
forthcoming from HarperCollins www.flyingtigersbook.com