1/12
It's election day and heaven knows we all need a good laugh, right?
Here's a story about President Clinton, Air Force One...
...and two nervous USAF air traffic controllers!
It's election day and heaven knows we all need a good laugh, right?
Here's a story about President Clinton, Air Force One...
...and two nervous USAF air traffic controllers!
2/12
Let me begin this story by stating I'm a retired Air Force Enlisted Historian (AFSC 3H091) and I was assigned to the Air Force base in question and I interviewed one of the two air traffic controllers involved in this story.
Okay ... let's get into it!
Let me begin this story by stating I'm a retired Air Force Enlisted Historian (AFSC 3H091) and I was assigned to the Air Force base in question and I interviewed one of the two air traffic controllers involved in this story.
Okay ... let's get into it!
3/12
It's the 1990s. President Clinton has flown to St. Louis in Air Force One ("AF1") and he's got an identical VC-25 aircraft just in case AF1 breaks down. Let's call it "AF1-Alt." It's sitting quietly across the river on the tarmac at Scott AFB, Illinois.
It's the 1990s. President Clinton has flown to St. Louis in Air Force One ("AF1") and he's got an identical VC-25 aircraft just in case AF1 breaks down. Let's call it "AF1-Alt." It's sitting quietly across the river on the tarmac at Scott AFB, Illinois.
4/12
Clinton, like all modern presidents, loves to bring distinguished folks aboard AF1 for a guided tour and some chit-chat. It might be a governor, a Medal of Honor recipient, or a famous barber. I mean, who doesn't like to show off their wheels, eh?
Clinton, like all modern presidents, loves to bring distinguished folks aboard AF1 for a guided tour and some chit-chat. It might be a governor, a Medal of Honor recipient, or a famous barber. I mean, who doesn't like to show off their wheels, eh?
5/12
Problem is, NO ONE CAN FLY when a president sits on the tarmac in his winged limo. No commercial & private air traffic in the vicinity. Even helicopters sit grounded!
Airlines watch their profits tank while their customers grow angry at them for the delays.
Problem is, NO ONE CAN FLY when a president sits on the tarmac in his winged limo. No commercial & private air traffic in the vicinity. Even helicopters sit grounded!
Airlines watch their profits tank while their customers grow angry at them for the delays.
6/12
So, Clinton is showing off AF1 to some guests. Air traffic is stalled. And twiddling their thumbs at Scott AFB...
...are two nervous USAF air traffic controllers. They know "AF1-Alt" is waiting patiently for Secret Service to give them a "go" signal.
So, Clinton is showing off AF1 to some guests. Air traffic is stalled. And twiddling their thumbs at Scott AFB...
...are two nervous USAF air traffic controllers. They know "AF1-Alt" is waiting patiently for Secret Service to give them a "go" signal.
7/12
Those two air traffic controllers are nervous because USAF generals fly into Scott AFB all the time.
And today they've got hoity-toity planes scheduled to arrive with pilots who don't like to hear some young punk tell them they can't land immediately.
Those two air traffic controllers are nervous because USAF generals fly into Scott AFB all the time.
And today they've got hoity-toity planes scheduled to arrive with pilots who don't like to hear some young punk tell them they can't land immediately.
8/12
The skies above St. Louis and Scott AFB are quiet.
"Too quiet."
It's so quiet that *one* of the air traffic controllers hears something distinctive.
And he does EXACTLY what's he's trained to do.
He switches to a special airfield frequency and keys the mic...
The skies above St. Louis and Scott AFB are quiet.
"Too quiet."
It's so quiet that *one* of the air traffic controllers hears something distinctive.
And he does EXACTLY what's he's trained to do.
He switches to a special airfield frequency and keys the mic...
9/12
"Scott Air Force Base Tower report. Sound of small arms gunfire IVO runway 32."
Across the river in St. Louis, Secret Service agents hastily remove a staircase from AF1 and the hatches swing shut.
No matter who's inside, they're going for a ride!
"Scott Air Force Base Tower report. Sound of small arms gunfire IVO runway 32."
Across the river in St. Louis, Secret Service agents hastily remove a staircase from AF1 and the hatches swing shut.
No matter who's inside, they're going for a ride!
10/12
Both air traffic controllers listen as AF1's pilot exercises his authority to make an immediate departure.
The *other* air traffic controller keys up the mic to ask AF1-Alt their intentions.
"Um, I guess we'll wait for Secret Service to give us a destination."
Both air traffic controllers listen as AF1's pilot exercises his authority to make an immediate departure.
The *other* air traffic controller keys up the mic to ask AF1-Alt their intentions.
"Um, I guess we'll wait for Secret Service to give us a destination."
11/12
Now, what sound of gunfire might a nervous Scott AFB air traffic controller hear?
Well, there was a popular rod & gun club just down the road from the tower. (I myself used to be a member there.) Some club members slipped in to "pop some clays" and...!
Now, what sound of gunfire might a nervous Scott AFB air traffic controller hear?
Well, there was a popular rod & gun club just down the road from the tower. (I myself used to be a member there.) Some club members slipped in to "pop some clays" and...!
12/12
So the next time you hear about a president lollygagging on Air Force One, wasting air passengers' time ... remember those USAF air traffic controllers who scared the Secret Service and sent a president packing!
(@ThreadReaderApp please unroll)
So the next time you hear about a president lollygagging on Air Force One, wasting air passengers' time ... remember those USAF air traffic controllers who scared the Secret Service and sent a president packing!
(@ThreadReaderApp please unroll)
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