[RTFM]

Is it just me, or does President Bush appears to have a very high reguard for our military personel? He landed on the Aircraft Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln today, that tells me that he not only can lead the military, but he trusts the everyday fliers too.
I know Air Force One is also an Air Force wing, but what a lucky pilot to land "THE MAN"
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,85711,00.html


From another post..
On Special Report with Brit Hume, hosted by Jim Angle, at the close of the show when they normally have some funny video clip, they showed President Bush and the First Lady on their way to Marine One to leave for Camp David for the weekend.
As the video starts, the First Lady is leading the way into the helicopter with the spaniel dog on the leash, and the president is right behind her with the Scotty on the leash.
As the First Lady entered the chopper, the Marine at the gangway saluted and held his salute.
The Scottie the President was walking decided it wanted to squat right when he got to steps. The president pulled on its leash, but the stubborn Scottie persisted in squatting. The President bent down and scooped up the pooch and entered Marine One.
After he entered, the Marine cut his salute and returned to the position of attention.
Moments later the President reemerged from the helicopter and out onto the steps. The Marine was standing at attention, head and eyes straight ahead.
The President leaned over and tapped him on the left arm.
The startled Marine turned his body toward the President and received his returned salute!
I was so impressed by this true act of respect for our military people by our President! He really does get it. Most any other person of his stature would have just continued his journey, disregarding the neglected return salute.
Not George W.Bush.
He is earning the respect of the military community, not expecting it -- as most have and would.

[Sir Galahad]

Landing on a carrier is not one of the safer things in the world to do. I'm impressed. First President to do this ever. This is a great President.

[coonan357]

you know as they were flying out to the carrier GwB Was probabbly begging to fly the thing..

[Sven]

Your 'great president' is going to sign another Assault Weapon ban.

[davera]

It looked like a 4 wire trap to me.

[Sir Galahad]

I think I'll say it again. This is a GREAT President!:D :D :D

Sorry, Sven, but when I play cards, I wait until the showdown to say who's got the highest hand.:D

[JoshM]

Landing on a carrier is not one of the safer things in the world to do. I'm impressed. First President to do this ever. This is a great President.

As acting President yes, He is following in his father's footsteps though, which is a very select club: Presidents of the Tailhook Club. I guess he was also the first President to fly in NAVY ONE.

[Greg L]

I only saw a brief clip (and being an ex ground pounder (well, ex ground driver REMF :D :rolleyes: ) my naval aircraft recognition isn't the best) but what was he riding in, A-6 Intruder?

Greg

[cool45auto]

Just saw some footage of the landing and an interview with the pilot. Very cool.

[RTFM]

Greg L, Nope S3V Viking Sub hunter.
But, the A-6 is Awesome

http://www.warmachines.50g.com/planes/s-3/s-3.jpg



davera:

Yup, just cought the video, 4th wire. Bet he catches some ribbing for that, but beter than a BOLTER...
(i believe the prefered wire (out a set of four) is the third wire all)

[Kharn]

RTFM:
If the plane lands in the correct spot, the hook hits between the second and third wires (in the middle of the set), so it would catch a three wire. One wire means way too low, two slightly low, three perfect, four means kinda high on the approach. Bolter means you're gonna be made fun of for a few days if you cant think up a good excuse.

Kharn

[Greg L]

Thanks RTFM,

I was trying to figure out why the Intruder was still in active service given all the go fast toys that the Navy has to bomb with these days.

My hat's off to him either way.

Greg

[gun-fucious]

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20030501/i/1051823870.2885722150.jpg
http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news/?c=news_photos&p=lincoln
http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/05/01/bush.carrier.landing/

Bush said he did take a turn at piloting the craft.

"Yes, I flew it. Yeah, of course, I liked it," said Bush, who was an F-102 fighter pilot in the Texas Air National Guard after graduating from Yale University in 1968.

"Great job," said Bush, a wide smile stretched across his face as he posed for photographs with crew members who gathered to get their pictures with the president. He draped his arms around some, slapped the backs of others and shook hands with many.

To others, the president said, "Thank you," and " 'preciate it."


Bush wanted to swoop onto the deck of the Lincoln aboard an F-18 Hornet, but the Secret Service nixed the idea -- they didn't like leaving the president unguarded in a fighter jet that only has space for the president and a pilot.

[riverdog]

RTFM,Nope S3V Viking Sub hunter. Actually, It's the S-3B although they sound alike and they're close on the keyboard.

S-3B is a good airplane, but from what I hear he originally wanted to fly out in an FA-18, but that was nixed from a security standpoint. According to the pilot, after they swapped lead, Bush flew form on the other S-3, not bad for someone who's been out of the seat for a long time.

[answerguy]

Bush wanted to swoop onto the deck of the Lincoln aboard an F-18 Hornet, but the Secret Service nixed the idea -- they didn't like leaving the president unguarded in a fighter jet that only has space for the president and a pilot.

Unguarded....in a F-18 Hornet?......Huh?

[Sisco]

Saw it on Fox news this afternoon, pretty impressive.
The thing I was thinking about though was all those sailors (been there, done that) that had spent ten months away from home. All they want is wife, girlfriend, cold beer and they want it now.
Then about a week ago or so they find out the President is coming aboard.
You just know they spent every waking hour cleaning and painting.
"If it moves salute it. If it don't move, paint it!" :D

[MeekandMild]

I wonder if he got the Wet Diaper Award?

(This is a fact of life. The G force of a carrier landing is so great that the seatbelt kind of forces this issue.)

[ahadams]

a couple of other points the media didn't quite seem to understand:

1. Dubya went to the Lincoln, he didn't wait for them to get close enough for him to comfortably go out there in Marine 1 with the Exec package.

2. He's leaving BEFORE they get into harbor so that the sailors and their friends and relatives can concentrate on each other, and not on Dubya.

even for this old soldier that shows a level of consideration that's worth noting.

[Mr. James]

Did you see the time he spent with the crew of the Lincoln after his speech? I believe he tried to shake the hand of every man and woman on that deck. And because he wanted to.

I'm not sure about 43 (that's Bush, not Petty), but no American could not be moved by his patently obvious love for, and respect of, the men and women serving in our military. "And may God continue to bless America." Amen, sir.

And well said, Mr. Adams.

[Sir Galahad]

Four More Years! Four More Years! Four More Years! :D :D :D :D

[CGofMP]

What Sven said...

I agree we can't know till all the cards are n the table, but I believe that GW will betray us. Its a politician thing dontcha know.

I am a fan of the respect he shows our armed forces, but I am a litmus test voter. Mess with the Bill of Rights and you lose my vote. Mess with the 2nd and you never have a chance to recapture my loyalty.

Charles

[Navy joe]

A few points.

I'm suprised they put him in an S-3. While it has an excellent safety record and extremely reliable engines it also has a reputation for being rough on crew that eject.

The S-3B has passed the ASW(sub warfare) to the SH-60B/F/R etc. variants. They no longer man the S-3 sqaudrons with ASW operators. The plane is still a vital asset, refueling, Surface warfare and such, they even drop bombs. Scary.


Might not be the perfect pres, but oh so much better than the former one whose wife would not allow the Marine White House guards to be in uniform and generally held the service in contempt unless he needed photos or a cruise missile strike to distract people from the photos of back home.

[JPM70535]

The reason an S3B was chosen was because it had room for the pilot, the President, the secret service agent and a backup pilot. The Secret service takes their responsibility for the Pres. seriously. Bet if it was up to G.W. he would much rather have traveled by FA18.

Anyone who thinks this President is a Bubba is seriously deluding themselves. He is head and shoulders above Klintoon, then again almost any primate is.

[Mike Irwin]

He also ate dinner in the enlisted mess, NOT the officer's mess.

That REALLY endeared him to a lot of people.

[Sergeant Bob]

Did you see the grin on his face when he stepped off that plane? That was a definite "E" ride!

[mcshot]

Impressive, heart warming and patriotic. I don't know how to explain it but President Bush fits in my comfort zone like I'm acquainted with his soul.
His cup sure runneth over when he expresses his love and respect for our military.
mc:)

[buzz_knox]

I think the reason Bush impresses is that what you see is what you get. He's a citizen statesman, a private citizen who decided to run for office because he thought he could do good.

As for the AWB, I don't think we're seeing the whole picture yet. And if we really want it gone, we need to do it ourselves. We can't rely on one person to do it for us.

[Leatherneck]

Agree with most above. His actions come from the heart, and that inspires confidence. What a nice change, eh?

About the trap: a "Not-OK #4, crossing R to L" would be my grade for it. I imagine it will be the most memorable trap in that Commander's logbook though! :D

TC
TFL Survivor

[Shooter 2.5]

When Bush was campaigning, he said two things. No new gun contol laws. If the Assault Weapons Bill hit his desk, he would sign it.

That's not a contradiction.

The NRA said that the Assault Weapons ban fight started at the November 2002 elections. The people who would be voted into office were the ones who would vote on the continuation of the ban.

From what I can tell from the NRA, we gained in A rated congressman and Senators.

Our job now is constantly reminding them that an election is two months after the vote.

I also know that doing anything that would put a liberal anti-gun person into the White House is stupid. We have a moderate now, let's continue to work next time for a conservative. No steps back.

[Joe Demko]

He has high regard for the armed services. That's nice. It doesn't qualify him for "greatness." Enjoy the post-Iraq military victory dance, all ye bushies. The man is no friend to gun owners.

[CMichael]

I just want to add that I love Bushie.

I think he is a genuinly good guy. He is an extremely welcome change from teh past president.