Monday, May 23, 2011

President Obama's visit to Ireland

Monday, 23rd May 2011

President Obama arrived into a very wet & windy Dublin today.

82-8000  VC-25A  US Air Force; "Air Force 1" arrived 0928 on runway 28 and parked on west apron stand 612C.

Within 15 minutes he was airborne again for the Phoenix Park aboard a Marine Corps VH-60N, callsign "Marine 1" which was accompanied by the second VH-60N and three Chinooks.

163263     VH-60N  US Marine Corps dep 0943
163266     VH-60N  US Marine Corps dep 0943
88-00101  CH-47D  US Army             dep 0943
89-00143  CH-47D  US Army             dep 0943
89-00163  CH-47D  US Army             dep 0943

Callsigns used included "Nighthawk 1"; "Nighthawk 3"; "Nighthawk 4" & "Nighthawk 8".
Once the formation had landed safely in the Phoenix Park operations resumed at Dublin Airport.

Another supporting aircraft for the visit was C-32A 98-0001,
It arrived as "SAM91" @ 1017 and parked on the west apron.

In the early afternoon the helicopter formation continued on to Moneygall, Co.Offaly - the birthplace of his Irish ancestors - where he met the locals and enjoyed a pint of the black stuff!
Leaving there around 1640 "Marine 1" flew the President & First Lady back to the Phoenix Park arriving there around 1705.

Mission accomplished, all five choppers re-positioned to Dublin Airport landing on runway 16.
The President then travelled by limo to Dublin City centre where he addressed the large crowd assembled on College Green.  Surprisingly, the visit to Ireland was cut short due to the advancing volcanic ash cloud and the presidential party returned to Dublin Airport for departure to London.

"Air Force 1" was airborne @ 2130 and "SAM91" followed shortly afterwards @ 2135 with both aircraft routing to Stansted via LIFFY - ROLEX UL975.

Come back soon Mr.President!  

1 comment:

  1. Great - thanks. Had identified two of the Chinooks over Portlaoise, but not the third!

    ReplyDelete