Executive One
Executive One is the call sign designated[1] for any United States civil aircraft when the President of the United States is on board. Typically, the President flies in military aircraft that are under the command of the Presidential Airlift Group, part of Air Mobility Command's 89th Airlift Wing, based at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George's County, Maryland. In 1973, to "set an example for the rest of the nation during the current energy crisis" and to "demonstrate his confidence in the airlines", then-President Richard Nixon became the only sitting president to travel on a regularly scheduled commercial airline flight when he flew on a United Airlines DC-10 from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport.[2] A Nixon aide carried a suitcase-sized secure communication device on board the plane, so that the President could remain in contact with Washington in the event of an emergency. Nixon's choice to fly commercial did not end up actually saving fuel, as the Boeing 707 then serving as Air Force One later flew empty from Washington to California to pick him up.
If the president's family members are aboard, but not the president himself, the flight can, at the discretion of the White House staff or Secret Service, use the callsign Executive One Foxtrot.[1] 'Foxtrot' is the phonetic alphabet designation for the letter 'F', with that being the first letter of 'family'. Then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton was known for using an aircraft designated Executive One Foxtrot to fly into New York City via La Guardia Airport.[3]
On January 20, 2009, the military helicopter that is normally designated as "Marine One" was given the call sign "Executive One" when it took on George W. Bush, whose term as president had just expired.[4][5][6][7][8]
Executive Two
Executive Two is the call sign designated any United States civil aircraft when the Vice President of the United States is on board.[1] Typically, however, the Vice President flies in military aircraft that are under the command of the Air Mobility Command's 89th Airlift Wing, based at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George's County, Maryland.
One notable exception was when Nelson Rockefeller was named Gerald Ford's Vice President in 1974. He owned a Gulfstream airplane which he preferred to the DC-9 which was then being used as Air Force Two. Being a private plane, the Gulfstream's call sign was Executive Two when Rockefeller was on board.[9]
If the Vice President's family members are aboard, but not the Vice President himself, the flight can optionally use the callsign Executive Two Foxtrot.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Order 7110.65R (Air Traffic Control) §2-4-20 ¶7". Federal Aviation Administration. 2008-02-14. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
- ↑ "The President Takes to the Friendly Skies". The Washington Post, Times Herald. 1973-12-30. p. C6.
- ↑ Bumiller, Elisabeth (199-12-03). "Airport Delay Creates a Campaign Dispute". New York Times (The New York Times Company). pp. B3. Retrieved 2009-05-31.
- ↑ "Bush's last day: Calls, candy and a flight to Midland". CNN. 2009-01-20. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
- ↑ Dunham, Richard S. (2009-01-21). "Bush's final day uncharacteristically emotional". Houston Chronicle (Chron.com). Retrieved 2009-01-25.
- ↑ Capehart, Jonathon (2009-01-20). "So Long...". Post Partisan (Washington Post). Retrieved 2009-01-25.
- ↑ Baker, Anne (2009-01-22). "Bush leaves infamous term behind". The Appalachian (Appalachian State University). Retrieved 2009-01-25.
- ↑ Miles, Donna (2009-01-20). "Troops bid former President Bush farewell at Andrews". American Forces Press Service (Air Force Link (Official Website of the Air Force)). Archived from the original on 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
- ↑ Petro, Joseph; Jeffrey Robinson (2005). Standing Next to History: An Agent's Life Inside the Secret Service. New York: Thomas Dunne Books. ISBN 0-312-33221-1.
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