Folks, I’m sipping my coffee and reading about the latest drama with Marine One, and let me tell you, it’s a doozy. Air traffic controllers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport had a tough time communicating with President Donald Trump’s helicopter as it prepared to depart the White House on Thursday. I mean, can you imagine not being able to get in touch with the President’s helicopter? It’s like trying to get ahold of my wife when she’s at the mall – it’s just not happening. Anyway, the controllers had to rely on other helicopters in the air to relay messages to Marine One, because, you know, that’s exactly what you want when you’re trying to get the President from point A to point B – a game of telephone.
So, apparently, this incident is similar to one that happened on August 4, when Marine One departed the Ellipse after two unsuccessful attempts to make the required call to the tower three minutes before liftoff. I’m no expert, but it seems like someone needs to check the radio equipment or something. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report said that because controllers didn’t receive that call, departing commercial flights weren’t stopped as they normally are for a presidential helicopter movement, leading to Marine One coming within .82 nautical miles laterally and 700 feet vertically of an Envoy Air passenger jet that had just taken off. That’s a little too close for comfort, if you ask me.
Following the latest incident on Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration said communication was ultimately established before Marine One took off. Well, that’s a relief. I was worried they’d have to send out a search party or something. Air traffic control audio captured Marine One trying to get in touch with the Washington tower before lift-off for about four minutes before receiving a response. I guess that’s what they mean by “hurry up and wait.” A different aircraft then relays the information to the air traffic controller, who replies, “Oh, I couldn’t hear any of that.” Yeah, that’s not exactly what you want to hear when you’re trying to get the President’s helicopter in the air.
The FAA said it “took immediate action” after the August 4 incident, including relocating an antenna to improve communications between DCA air traffic controllers and Marine One pilots, and reviewing the procedures involved. You’d think they’d have this stuff down pat by now, but I guess not. The NTSB said the August 4 communications problem involved inadequate line-of-sight between FAA radio equipment and the Ellipse, where Marine One was temporarily operating while construction was underway at the White House. Investigators said Marine One’s first attempt to contact the tower was not received and its second was broken and unreadable. It’s like they say, “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” – or in this case, try, try again, and then get someone else to relay the message for you.
In a statement to CNN, White House spokesperson Kush Desai said, “Marine One flights are piloted by the finest aviators in the world, and the White House maintains the utmost confidence in these patriots and other security officials who are responsible for ensuring the President’s safety.” That’s great to hear, but it doesn’t exactly address the issue at hand. Desai also said, “Although the President was at no point in harm’s way during the August 4th momentary loss of separation, the White House continues to work with relevant military, FAA, and other security personnel to ensure the President’s continued safety.” Okay, got it – the President is safe, but maybe someone should work on getting the radio equipment sorted out.
So, to sum it all up, Marine One had some communication issues, the FAA is looking into it, and the White House is confident in the President’s safety. Well, that’s a relief. I’m just glad I’m not the one in charge of getting the President from point A to point B – I’d be pulling my hair out. And on that note, I’m going to go refill my coffee cup, because this story has left me a little exhausted.
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
