Air Force One Pilot Calls It Quits

[docstew]

I'm not 100% sure but I beleive it is customary for the new POTUS to get a new pilot.

CNN did an interview with COL Tillman, he's been with that wing since GHWB.

[Chris_]

Well....being that I live right here in Midland, Texas (home of W & Laura Bush, Tommy Franks
and TxRadioGuy) I have some awesome pictures of Col. Tillman buzzing the crowd for W when
they flew over the welcome home crowds before landing. I looked around to see if there was
already a thread about Pres. Bush's homecoming, and finally found one. I'll post the other pics
I have over there. Here's one of my favorite pictures of Col. Tillman's next to last landing as he
flew into Midland that afternoon. I didn't take this, a friend did and emailed to me:



I have another that is much closer as they flew just feet away from the rooftops of the buildings
downtown, but it's within a powerpoint slide show, and I don't know how to post it. If someone
else does, I can email you the PP file and you can post it here.



In the one below, you see both President Bushes and their First Ladies.

[Redstatecka]

From what I've read, the colonel should been promoted to brigadier general, almost as a matter of form.

Seems the article implied that there was get-even-with-Bush politics involved.

I hope not.

The pilot deserved that star for his fine service to our country.

[TheSarge]

From what I've read, the colonel should been promoted to brigadier general, almost as a matter of form.

Seems the article implied that there was get-even-with-Bush politics involved.

I hope not.

The pilot deserved that star for his fine service to our country.

He was nominated by President Bush for selection to Brigadier General.

The Armed Services Committee never acted on it.  Which pretty much killed his career.

It was one final middle finger from the Democrat House and Senate to an outgoing President.

[Peter3_1]

Is there an airfield in all of VT that cah safely handle a 747?

[TheSarge]

Is there an airfield in all of VT that cah safely handle a 747?

Bradley International in Hartford could handle it.  They've got a 9,500 ft runway.

If they can put Air Force One into the airport in Midland.   They could put it in there as well.

[formerlurker]

Bradley International in Hartford could handle it.  They've got a 9,500 ft runway.

If they can put Air Force One into the airport in Midland.   They could put it in there as well.

CT?   

Burlington has an airport don't they?   They have an Air Guard unit in VT also -- no idea how long the runway is. 

[Peter3_1]

So, no one has a clue. So I searched vermont heavy aricraft commercial airport. Two hits that were relevent. Berlington was thre, BUT, it sure seems, from the Foto's, a 747-400 heavy's not in the mix there. So, maybe thart's why the AF-1 was not landed there...unsafe.

[TheSarge]

CT?   

Burlington has an airport don't they?   They have an Air Guard unit in VT also -- no idea how long the runway is. 

You're right.  I had a brain fart about which Yankee state I was looking up. 

[Redstatecka]

He was nominated by President Bush for selection to Brigadier General.

The Armed Services Committee never acted on it.  Which pretty much killed his career.

It was one final middle finger from the Democrat House and Senate to an outgoing President.

It sickens me that this soldier suffered just because he flew President Bush safely.

It also never ceases to amaze how absolutely petty and childish and mean-spirited that the Democrats, liberals and leftists can be.

Their stupidity, too.

They're too stupid to know that the pilot is the kind of experienced soldier America needs in uniform.

And, BTW, by "soldier," no offense meant to anyone, past or present, in USAF.

[TheSarge]

So, no one has a clue. So I searched vermont heavy aricraft commercial airport. Two hits that were relevent. Berlington was thre, BUT, it sure seems, from the Foto's, a 747-400 heavy's not in the mix there. So, maybe thart's why the AF-1 was not landed there...unsafe.

Burlington's main North-South runway is a shade over 8,300 feet.

Probably explains why they didn't try to put AF One in there.

If he'd gone to Vermont, more than likely they'd have taken the 757 that belongs to the Air Wing.

[crockspot]

No, Bush never set foot in Vermont during his presidency, and yes, there is a VTANG outfit that flies out of Burlington. F-16's make their first bank after takeoff right over my head at work. I'm not sure if 747's fly in and out. Being that Vermont is such a tiny market, most flights connect at JFK and Ohare. I was looking to fly to Pittsburgh to go visit my lady friend in Youngstown OH, but even that leg required a minimum of one connection, and as many as three. Being an hour from the airport where I live, and 90 minutes from Pitts to where she lives, I opted to do the ten hour drive to Ytown. Wasn't that much longer than flying would have been door to door.

[NHSparky]

I know lots of folks who live in eastern VT who also fly into Manchester, simply because flying into Boston then taking the puddle jumper into Burlington simply isn't financially feasible.

[Rebel]

That is ****ed up that he was passed over. I mean, damn, how much higher can one get than being the pilot of Air Force One? 

[Eupher]

That is ****ed up that he was passed over. I mean, damn, how much higher can one get than being the pilot of Air Force One? 

I'd be willing to bet that he is/was an exceptional pilot, and totally immersed in all the activities associated with driving that aircraft. I'd also submit that as a pilot, he had little or no time for bullshit, petty politics that does consume the higher echelons of all services, not just the Air Force.

From my armchair, it looks like Bush tried to reward him with a star for long and faithful service.

But politics and "it ain't whatcha know, it's WHO you know" is the pathway for acquisition of stars. Sadly, competency in one's profession isn't enough.

[Tess]

I just watched an amazing show on The National Geographic Channel on Air Force One.  If any of you get a chance try to find it and watch it!  He was an exceptional commander of the crew and I was fascinated by all that he did every time Bush flew.  After watching it, it seems fitting he retires as Bush leaves. 

[Rebel]

I just watched an amazing show on The National Geographic Channel on Air Force One.  If any of you get a chance try to find it and watch it!  He was an exceptional commander of the crew and I was fascinated by all that he did every time Bush flew.  After watching it, it seems fitting he retires as Bush leaves. 

Saw it tonight and the pilot, Colonel Tillman, is the one we're talking about.

[Chris_]

Yes and right after that, did y'all see the next show that came on "On Board Marine One"?
My son was in that - he's an HMX-1 Marine. I'm almost sure I saw him in a few scenes in
the background. He was the one in the olive drab flight suit with short hair.

[Tess]

Yes and right after that, did y'all see the next show that came on "On Board Marine One"?
My son was in that - he's an HMX-1 Marine. I'm almost sure I saw him in a few scenes in
the background. He was the one in the olive drab flight suit with short hair.

Danm!  I missed that one!  I'll have to check and see if it is on again! 

[Crazy Horse]

He was the one in the olive drab flight suit with short hair.

Well damn he'll stick out like a sore thumb then

[Miss Mia]

I watched both shows.  They were both very interesting.

He was the one in the olive drab flight suit with short hair.

OH!  I saw him!  Or many of him.  LOL!

[Rebel]

Well damn he'll stick out like a sore thumb then

 

[Redstatecka]

But politics and "it ain't whatcha know, it's WHO you know" is the pathway for acquisition of stars. Sadly, competency in one's profession isn't enough.

True.

But this appears to be, as someone posted earlier, a final one-finger salute to a good man who the Democrats, liberals and lefitsts in the House and Senate used as a proxy to get back at President Bush.

Of course, life's not fair. But this truly stinks.

[USA4ME]

Well....being that I live right here in Midland, Texas (home of W & Laura Bush, Tommy Franks
and TxRadioGuy) I have some awesome pictures of Col. Tillman buzzing the crowd for W when
they flew over the welcome home crowds before landing. I looked around to see if there was
already a thread about Pres. Bush's homecoming, and finally found one. I'll post the other pics
I have over there. Here's one of my favorite pictures of Col. Tillman's next to last landing as he
flew into Midland that afternoon. I didn't take this, a friend did and emailed to me:

I had an 85 year old cousin of mine in Midland who went to see Bush last Tuesday and this is what she wrote to me about it.

Yesterday former Pres. W and Laura came to Midland on their way to Crawford and Dallas to begin living out from under the heavy load he has carried for 8 long years.  I took advantage of the opportunity to go to the rally, along with about 20,000 others.  He was not scheduled to arrive until about 5:30.  I went at 1:30, was able to get a seat in the bleachers.  Bands played, the Gatlin brothers entertained, along with some others.  Exerpts from their lives were shown on the screen: at hospitals, schools, 9-11, at the ranch, in Air Force I, etc., etc.  It showed his humanity.  Many secret service people were there.  They checked us as we entered- just as they do when you are flying.  Large red, white and blue "W"'s were passed out and widely displayed during the gathering.  At 5:00, this huge, beautiful plane swooped down out of the sky and flew right over us- terribly low!
 
Then in about 20 minutes they arrived.  He spent a long time greeting old friends who were on the podium- Gov. Perry, and many others.  Finally he addressed us for about 20 minutes, giving praise to his parents, Midland, his friends and West Texas.  He mentioned things that he felt he had accomplished and disclosed things that I wish he had shared during his presidency.  He praised Laura for her loyalty and steadfast love.  They seemed truly happy to be "where they are at this time". 
 
I hope that in time his presidency will prove to be more than the liberal media and people protrayed him as being- the dumb cowboy.   They never gave him a chance!!!  But he was above that and didn't seem to let them bother him!!

Just thought I would share that experience with you. (normally I wouldn't walk across the street to see a celebrity- but I wanted to be a small part in honoring them.)

.

[Chris_]

Wow what a great letter. Everyone here is still talking about it. Here's the letter of thanks that W sent to the City of Midland:

A letter from George W. Bush to the people of West Texas

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Laura and I thank the people of Midland, Odessa, and other towns in West Texas for the Welcome Home rally on the last day of my Presidency. The crowd was huge. The enthusiasm was high. The smiles were heartening. The warm welcome reminded us that after eight fascinating years in Washington, Texas is still our home.

Our return to Midland was a perfect bookend to the journey we began in the same place in January 2001.

We are grateful for our friends who sustained us and for the prayers of millions, which comforted us. We are grateful to the event organizers and to the City of Midland for ensuring the success of the event. Most of all, we are grateful to all who came to welcome us.

Thank you all, and God bless.

George W. Bush

Here's the link to the article: http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2009/01/26/news/top_stories/doc497a3e0b36892027279768.txt
There is also a video clip of his speech that day there on the same site somewhere.

My son was privileged to be part of the last official flight, for his trip from the Waco airport that night on Marine One out to the Crawford ranch. He's supposed to be sending me some pictures he took, but haven't gotten them yet. I'll post them when I get them.