Obama's first ride on Air Force One!

[Gerry]

In the mid seventies I was assigned to the task force to guard Air Force One while on the ground at one of the Air Bases I was assigned to. I was the ranking person over the K9 corps and was with one of the handlers and his bomb detection bomb.

We struck up a conversation with the the pilot. We were not allowed to board the aircraft but he did go up and bring a little keepsake back to us.

A few brand new decks of cards with the Presidential Seal on the back.

We shot the breeze and stood around for about an hour and a half.

The motorcade was coming back. Of course, it was cool to stand at attention and be reviewed by the Commander In Chief.

He boarded, the aircraft taxied, and Air Force One took to the skies.

Thus was my first glimpse of President Richard M. Nixon.

Wow, I am old!

[Acquisition]

Nothing happened really. It stayed in the air, uneventful trip.

I just thought we were supposed to start a thread about everything he does.

heh

[Gerry]

For those that may be genuinely interested, tomorrow night on the National Geographic Channel at 8pm will be a special on On Board Air Force One.

Should be interesting for you history buffs or aviation buffs.

[BELLC1]

For those that may be genuinely interested, tomorrow night on the National Geographic Channel at 8pm will be a special on On Board Air Force One.

I saw that, too, Doc. I'm planning on watching it. The History Channel ran a show recently called "Planes, trains and automobiles" about all the Presidential vehicles. Interesting, but a couple years old now so I want to see what NGC will have.

And I can share your story about AF1. When I was an SP in 1980, AF1 landed at one of my bases and we were ground security. They wouldn't let us in the bird, either. But you probably heard the same story about the SP's in the 70's that had access to aircraft, brought out their whole flight, and took pics of everyone sitting in the President's chair. That was the end of all of them. I wonder if they are out of Leavenworth yet?

[Gerry]

I saw that, too, Doc. I'm planning on watching it. The History Channel ran a show recently called "Planes, trains and automobiles" about all the Presidential vehicles. Interesting, but a couple years old now so I want to see what NGC will have.

And I can share your story about AF1. When I was an SP in 1980, AF1 landed at one of my bases and we were ground security. They wouldn't let us in the bird, either. But you probably heard the same story about the SP's in the 70's that had access to aircraft, brought out their whole flight, and took pics of everyone sitting in the President's chair. That was the end of all of them. I wonder if they are out of Leavenworth yet?

Hilarious. That must have happened right before my stand.

SP, eh? I was LE, 81252A I think it was.

Damn, don't tell me I remember that too?

Lord, the stories. Those long nights of boredom...and mischief!

AF1 was x 3, I believe. Actually, the VP would be AF2?

That was Nelson Rockerfeller in Italy. That one I distinctly remember.

[BELLC1]

SP, eh? I was LE, 81252A I think it was.

Finished as 81172 myself after 8 years, 80-88. Also, LE. I didn't get the "A" but I sure put on the wrap a lot and caught a lot of dogs.

But, yeah, the stories. And the lies. There were many.

[Gerry]

Finished as 81172 myself after 8 years, 80-88. Also, LE. I didn't get the "A" but I sure put on the wrap a lot and caught a lot of dogs.

But, yeah, the stories. And the lies. There were many.

I don't remember the 7 thing. Ranking thing? I just remember what I went in to do.

And you are correct - that A designation is literally for the dogs!

Catching dogs! What a treat!