'Oh, Heck!' Moment at NAS Jacksonville

Tuesday morning, as President Bush was set to arrive in Jacksonville (FL) to go to another $2000 chicken lunch, his 747 had to take a go-around.

It wasn't because the pilots hadn't done their jobs; it was because of a runway incursion. White House Spokesman Scott McClellan said air traffic controllers were confused by the lead vehicle in the motorcade sent to pick up the president. He said the vehicle drove to the end of the runway as Air Force One made its approach.

Nobody was hurt; the second approach to NAS Jacksonville was also faultless; and the Prez made it to Alltel Stadium for lunch. Later, he talked with students at Hyde Park Elementary School, on Jacksonville's west side.

ANN News Spy Ed Booth was there to watch and photograph the proceedings and reported that, "I was out at Navy Jax today watching Air Force One arrive. I was at the departure end of RWY 27, just outside the airport fence. The Secret Service was very nice to the group of 100+ who showed up to take photos or just enjoy the show. All they asked was that we not touch or lean against the fence.

At 1130 Air Force #29000 appeared through the mist (see pic below), lined up with RWY 27. At the last minute the nose came up, and the gear started to retract. We were treated to a relatively low flyby (about 700 feet). AF1 flew close left traffic in and out of a ragged ceiling (I've seen many C-172 Skyhawks fly wider patterns) and made it in the second time.

The official story appears to be a police car on a taxiway with direct runway access. The tower didn't know who it was and the procedure called for an abort. To see an aircraft that "owns" any airspace or airport it wants go around was a real treat, particularly knowing 'W' was onboard and must have been wondering what the hell was going on..."

FMI: www.whitehouse.gov