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Tag: Air Force One

  • George W. Bush Shows off His Art to World Leaders

    Who knew? President George W. Bush is a painter and he’s proud enough of his work to share his art with some of the most powerful people in the free world.

    Some would think a 16 hour flight with a passenger list that included President Obama, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Hilary Clinton would get awkward. However, politics were put aside as the mourners all boarded Air Force One yesterday en route to South Africa for Nelson Mandela’s memorial service

    Today, everyone seems to be talking about the pictures taken by White House photographer Pete Souza. They show Bush proudly showing off his works of art via an iPad. And the crowd looks impressed.

    This selfie picture is making the rounds as well. Obama is receiving some heat for taking it at Mandela’s service.

    Bush’s new love of painting is actually not a complete surprise. He introduced his artwork to a national audience on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Bush painted a portrait of the talk show host and gave it to him as a gift. He also confessed to Diane Sawyer that painting has had a major impact on his life. “Painting has changed my life in an unbelievably positive way.”

    Nelson Mandela died at the age of 95 last Thursday. Political leaders from around the world and celebrities alike gathered in Johannesburg to pay respects to the former President and revolutionary who sacrificed his freedom in an attempt to end apartheid.

    Image via Wikipedia Commons

  • Department of Defense Releases 30 Year Aviation Plan

    Department of Defense Releases 30 Year Aviation Plan

    The department of defense released their 30 year plan for the entire fleet of aircraft currently available to the Department of the Air Force (DoF), Department of the Navy (DoN-includes the Navy and Marines), and the Department of the Army (DoA). The report included funding for replacements to Air Force One and the military’s aging 4th generation fighters (F/A-18, F-16, A-10, E/A-6B)

    The U.S. military’s inventory of unmanned aerial vehicles, will grow to 645 aircraft in fiscal 2022 from about 445 in fiscal 2013, which is an increase of 45%. The total is in line with the military’s budget restraints going forward.

    “The military departments adjusted their plans to comply with a constrained top line by procuring fewer aircraft than desired,” Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter wrote in a letter to the leaders of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.

    The Defense Department plans to spend $770 billion on aviation assets from 2013 to 2022. This includes fighter jets, attack helicopters, airlift and cargo aircraft, combat search and rescue aircraft, air refueling planes, bombers, anti-ship and submarine aircraft, drones, training platforms and other aircraft used by Special Operations forces. Annual funding levels will peak at $80 billion in 2022, according to the Pentagon.

    The Air Force “plans to continue aggressive funding” for a new long-range bomber with nuclear capabilities, according to the aviation report. The bomber would reach its initial capability in the mid-2020s, according to the Pentagon. The Defense Department plans to “hold down” the unit cost to “ensure sufficient production” of 80 to 100 bombers, according to the report. And they are also starting to look at a 6th generation fighter tabbed the F-X to replace the brand new F-22. Before you freak out, remember that the F-22 is new now, but this is a 30 year plan. In 30 years, who knows where military technology will be.

    DoD Aviation Plan

  • Replacements For Air Force One In The Works

    In the latest version of the Pentagon’s aviation plans it was revealed that plans are being put in place to replace the aging planes that ferry the President around the world. The Boeing 747 varient the VC-25, has been the primary means of transport since 1991 and the 2 planes are in need of retiring.

    “We have recognized for several years now that the Air Force One replacement is out there in our future in the late teens,” Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said during a briefing at an Air Force Association conference.

    George W. Bush’s administration had tried to get the ball rolling on Air Force One recapitalization before the end of his second term in the White House, but due to the economy being crippled, it was canceled.

    Why do they need a new plane?

    The old Air Force One uses 4 General Electric CF6-80C2B1 turbofans pumping out 56,700 lbs of thrust. The planes just do not have enough power with these engines. The new engines on the 787 Dreamliner can produce up to 75,000 lbs of force and has a modern airframe capable of handling that much stress. Mix in the need for more sophisticated avionics and technology that the President needs to have, and the fact that Air Force One is a beacon of freedom and an ambassador of the technology and might that the United States represents it is time for an aircraft that was at least built last decade.

    Can afford to?

    That is the big question. This is the reason President Bush tried to get the ball rolling on this while he was in office. The process of getting a new plane can take up to 10 years. So this needs to be done not for this President, but for the next President. In the recent past, President Obama has been critical of the use of corporate jets for transportation so it is a bit of a surprise to see this in the Pentagon’s aviation plans. Aside from all of that, with the air craft being so old, and being used so much, it is prudent for them to do so. Because even if you don’t like whomever is the President, he is the leader of the military and we voted him in office. So how can we not afford to?

    Check out this hour long documentary on the current Air Force One: