Air Force One landing in Anchorage this morning

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CarsonIsFun@reddit (OP)

Refueling yeah. They departed about an hour ago now.

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Practical-Hat-3943@reddit

In-air refueling is not an option during "peace" times? or was there another criteria not met for qualifying for in-air refueling?

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Easytank@reddit

Air refuel is an option and it is capable. However it is not used during normal operations, especially when POTUS is on board.

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mafalda100@reddit

I can't remember but this particular version of AF1 was retrofit to In-Air-Refueling the upcoming one has the whole setup straight from factory. Yes another reason for the upgrade.

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ZeePM@reddit

I thought they removed the whole air to air refueling for the new VC-25B. It was a cost cutting measure.

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ronaldoswanson@reddit

?????????

The new ones are old Korean air passenger planes. They are also being retrofit.

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CarsonIsFun@reddit (OP)

The plane surely has enough fuel to fly all the way to DC, typically crew rest is another factor

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CharlieLeDoof@reddit

747s regularly flew non-stop from Beijing to NYC.

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tyler21307@reddit

Pretty sure this variation gets way worse fuel economy

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Silly-Low6019@reddit

Via Pacific ? They are probably avoiding the whole Eurasia route .

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my understanding is they tested in air refueling but saw it caused stress damage so no need to do it unless it was a major issue. Even during 9/11 where they kept President push moving all day flying all over the country they did not do in air refueling. THey just flew base to base refueling on the ground. Had four F15 flying by AF1 them taking turns who stayed in the sky while the plane refueled. I heard a great talk from the commander of the Texas Air national guard about that day (the suppliers of the f15s) he was still bitter about the fact that they escorted AF1 all day but then the national guard got the photo opt at the end.

I think due to it massive unuse that they remove it from the AF1 replacements as a requirement.

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polyploid_coded@reddit

oh cool! Yes I thought I had read somewhere that AF1 basically has never done air refueling

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Practical-Hat-3943@reddit

Brilliant info. Thanks so much for sharing! learned a lot

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planko13@reddit

Do they not allow refuel in China or something?

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Silly-Low6019@reddit

My guess is that they need gassed up in China and it needs refueling to reach DC via pacific.
Over and above it is an Air Force aircraft carrying the most important person in the world , there are standard /rules on where USAF jets can refuel (unless it’s an emergency)

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ohnonotagain94@reddit

“The most important person in the world”

lmfao.

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_missfoster_@reddit

Imagine the time we live. Unbelievable.

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Silly-Low6019@reddit

I mean whether we like it or not , he is.
But I get what you are saying:)

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Jolly-Valuable-94@reddit

There is a fuel crisis or have you not heard?

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Silly-Low6019@reddit

My guess is that they need gassed up in China and it needs refueling to reach DC via pacific.
Over and above it is an Air Force aircraft carrying the most important person in the world , there are standard /rules on where USAF jets can refuel (unless it’s an emergency)

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rayfound@reddit

What's the rationale for using the commercial airport instead of nearby JBER?

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DavidBrooker@reddit

I don't know if this is the totality of the reason, but many passengers (like the tech CEOs joining the trip) boarded in Alaska. It may have been easier to facilitate the transfer that way.

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Sugar_Cane_320@reddit

There’s a McDonald’s in the ANC terminal

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Foggl3@reddit

There's not one on base?

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Grizzwold37@reddit

Burger King on base.

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kaliwrath@reddit

I think the prime passenger is No Kings. Prefers the clown

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CynGuy@reddit

OMG - laughed hard at your turn of phrase. Quite brilliant.

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Foggl3@reddit

The superior product

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theonlyski@reddit

AAFES usually has Burger King, not McDonalds.

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stevecostello@reddit

Thanks for my first guffaw of the day.

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GoodGoodGoody@reddit

They’re not joking.

https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/location/ak/anchorage/5000-w-intl-airport-rd-ste-c-2327/33728.html

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FantasticPear@reddit

And mine!

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Sp1kes@reddit

I laughed way too hard at this.

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ShootyLoots@reddit

All runways at JBER are closed due to NOTAM

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timelessblur@reddit

dumb question but doesnt it have the range to go all the way back to DC with out refueling?

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DavidBrooker@reddit

On a direct great circle route, yes. However, they took a less direct route, going much further South to avoid Russian airspace, and the extra distance required refueling for their required safety margin. The minimum distance is 11,000 km and the VC-25 has a maximum range of 13,000 km.

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mafalda100@reddit

Escort planes can't make that kind of trip. Choices of stopping in Okinawa or Anchorage to then make a final push. Anchorage is easier they switch escorting group as well.

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DavidBrooker@reddit

AF1 is only escorted in quite rare circumstances. The vast majority of the time it has no escorts and I believe this was the case here. The VC-25 has an unrefuled range of about 13,000 km, and the great-circle route from DC to Beijing is about 11,000 km. However, they did not take the direct route, and flew further South to avoid Russian airspace. This extra distance required a refueling stop.

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anandonaqui@reddit

Would they have refueled AF1 in Beijing?

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darkmattergl-ow@reddit

Can’t trust Chinese fuel

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NoIdeaHalp@reddit

Nanobot fuel*

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Coldman5@reddit

I believe they would’ve flown in their own fuel to refuel if they did. That’s what I recall from all the documentaries over the years.

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mclms1@reddit

Shitters full.

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roguesqdn3@reddit

And they’re all out of diapers

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ChinaCatProphet@reddit

Someone needs a diaper change?

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Grizzwold37@reddit

Most likely just to make a visit to Elmendorf or something, since they’re flying over anyway. Coming back from China, go visit a PACAF combat unit, rattle saber, rah rah.

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CarsonIsFun@reddit (OP)

Most probably for crew rest

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deleted_by_reddit@reddit

[removed]

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Unusual-Economist288@reddit

They have relief crew

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Coy9ine@reddit

They have to make stops for diaper changes.

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Wait-LetMeWipeFirst@reddit

Butter

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Key-Monk6159@reddit

No matter how many times I see it, I find AF1 majestic, regardless of who’s in it, and continue to be saddened by the proposed color change.

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ChinaCatProphet@reddit

The new color scheme is cheap and nasty, like the the current passenger. I'll miss this graceful timeless design.

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CynGuy@reddit

It will likely get painted back at some future change of administrations.

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kelsobjammin@reddit

Ware of money and time (exactly what this administration is good for)

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Trivialpiper@reddit

Come down off the ledge buddy…..

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dpaanlka@reddit

“Everyone who disagrees with me is suicidal”

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ChinaCatProphet@reddit

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optimal_substructure@reddit

(honestly very unsarcastically) USA! USA!

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gavriellloken@reddit

Hi all,

For obvious reasons on this post we are adding the Seatbelts Fastened flair, some of the comments have gone off topic politically. Please try to keep comments respectful, please dont threaten death or violence or wishing the plane would crash.

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[removed]

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NOCO5900@reddit

Pretty sure that is where they picked up the NVIDA CEO…

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MightBeAGoodIdea@reddit

Ignorent subreddit follower here.

I am genuinely surprised they let people get that close to the runways when AF1 is landing/taking off. Like what if you had a weapon instead of a camera.

....or do you work there?

Shrug. Just surprised is all.

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CarsonIsFun@reddit (OP)

Gotta go through security everyday before getting on the ramp

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xeno_dorph@reddit

Damn.

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Prudent_Falafel_7265@reddit

Polar bears can attack seemingly from nowhere

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1ThousandDollarBill@reddit

I bet they were mostly letting some west coasters off so they didn’t have to fly all the way to DC

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triple7freak1@reddit

The MD-11‘s though 🥲

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yoitsme_obama17@reddit

Good eye!

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CarsonIsFun@reddit (OP)

Yeah they’ve been moved around the ramp the past few months, though they’ve been parked there for a few weeks now.

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Consistent_Bass_8531@reddit

There goes the neighbourhood

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Sufficient__Size@reddit

Fuck sake I missed it AGAIN

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goprinterm@reddit

Why?

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CarsonIsFun@reddit (OP)

Anchorage is a vital airport in US-Asia routes. The president is flying back from his meeting in China.

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