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President Biden to visit Ireland April 11-14

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    #32
    Alun
    Registered Users Posts: 21,464 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120449113#Comment_120449113

    Yes, went outside to see what was making all the noise, and was quite surprised!



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    #33
    AerLingus747
    Registered Users Posts: 510 ✭✭✭AerLingus747


    one went tech in a field around Cardiff, another hung back with it, hence only 4.



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    #34
    markc1184
    Registered Users Posts: 3,077 ✭✭✭markc1184


    Was there a thread here from President Obama's visit that a US Air Force member was posting in? Anyone have a link to it if I'm not imagining it.



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    #35
    justmehere
    Registered Users Posts: 143 ✭✭justmehere


    I suppose these Boeing CH-47 Chinooks are carrying The Beast and the other cars?



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    #36
    AerLingus747
    Registered Users Posts: 510 ✭✭✭AerLingus747


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120449225#Comment_120449225

    no.. they came in via C-17 already



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    #37
    justmehere
    Registered Users Posts: 143 ✭✭justmehere


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120449257#Comment_120449257

    Ok, so what these carrying? 4 of them!?



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    #38
    EchoIndia
    Registered Users Posts: 2,950 ✭✭✭EchoIndia


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120449388#Comment_120449388

    You might want to read this thread for a better understanding.



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    #39
    AerLingus747
    Registered Users Posts: 510 ✭✭✭AerLingus747


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120449388#Comment_120449388

    no idea of the load spec... there has been at least 6 to 8 C-17's individually into Dublin (Airport and Bal inclusive) and Aldergrove...

    so could be 4 cars... 2 cars + other cargo... 1 car plus other cargo...

    The C-17 can carry 10 Humvees at a time, so more then enough space for 4 armoured limos (don't know if weight would be a limiting factor).

    A C-17 did deliver the 2 x presidential helicopters though (VH-3's).



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    #40
    EI321
    Registered Users Posts: 167 ✭✭EI321


    I recall there's about 10 individual specialist vehicles in the motorcade that have to be flown in with the rest being the Gardaí and maybe a few chauffer minibuses.

    A C17 can fit about 10 SUV's inside.



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    #41
    Calibos
    Registered Users Posts: 7,807 ✭✭✭Calibos


    I goggled VH-3

    At least one or two of the search results were for Marine 1....



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    #42
    HTCOne
    Registered Users Posts: 876 ✭✭✭HTCOne


    Sad no C5s have been in this time, they’re massive, normally they have carried some of the heavier gear like the Beast, which weighs more than two fully loaded and armoured frontline Humvees IIRC.



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    #43
    EI321
    Registered Users Posts: 167 ✭✭EI321


    Do Gardaí prevent photography on the day AF1 arrives? Might be the last time the current aircraft lands here before the new 747-8 version.



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    #44
    moonshy2022
    Registered Users Posts: 354 ✭✭moonshy2022


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120450181#Comment_120450181

    Essentially yes, they do so by blocking off any parking areas and moving people along who are anywhere around the airport perimeter fence or roads. Some roads will be closed from Monday morning till he has gone.



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    #45
    Tenger
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 9,842 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tenger


    Updated timeline as of Friday 7th:

    https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2023/04/07/joe-biden-visit-to-ireland-everything-we-know-so-far-about-the-trip/

    Tuesday, April 11th

    Mr Biden is expected to arrive in Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening.

    Wednesday, April 12th

    Mr Biden is due to carry out only one engagement in Northern Ireland at Ulster University (UU) before departing for Dublin on Wednesday afternoon.

    US service service agents have been spotted scoping out King John’s Castle, also known as Carlingford Castle, the 12th-century national monument in the village, ahead of the visit.

    The walkabouts in Carlingford and Dundalk are being planned for Wednesday evening, according to sources.

    The US president will arrive in Dublin later, and there will be a State dinner in Dublin Castle on Wednesday night.


    Thursday, April 13th

    Mr Biden will pay a formal visit to Áras an Uachtaráin and Farmleigh, where he is due to meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, on Thursday.

    The US president is also scheduled to make an address to the Oireachtas that afternoon. The Dáil and Seanad are being recalled from their Easter break for the occasion.


    Friday, April 14th

    Mr Biden will visit Co Mayo and there will be a public address outside St Muredach’s Cathedral in Ballina on Friday evening.

    Mr Biden is expected to fly back to the US following the address in Ballina.



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    #46
    Tenger
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 9,842 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tenger


    20230407_190743.jpg
    20230407_185733.jpg

    Another C-17 just left Baldonnell just before 7pm. I ran out as soon as I heard the unusual engine sound.

    I added in an image from wikipedia of the President vehicle inside a C17.

    Screenshot_20230407_190025.jpg




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    #47
    Bebra
    Registered Users Posts: 26 ✭Bebra


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120452397#Comment_120452397

    I was wondering what that was. It made a hell of a noise over Tallaght.



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    #48
    AerLingus747
    Registered Users Posts: 510 ✭✭✭AerLingus747


    VH-3's also unloaded from C-17's in Baldonnel today supposedly.



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    #49
    HeidiHeidi
    Registered Users Posts: 29,262 ✭✭✭✭HeidiHeidi


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120452397#Comment_120452397

    Flew right over our game of tennis, nice and low - a fantastic sight in the evening sun!



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    #50
    Muahahaha
    Registered Users Posts: 19,652 ✭✭✭✭Muahahaha


    Would there be any fighter jets coming in when he is actually here



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    #51
    Tenger
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 9,842 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tenger


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120452927#Comment_120452927

    No. No need for air cover.

    However I would assume that the USAF jets stationed in the UK would be on short notice alert as a standard measure.



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    #52
    afatbollix
    Registered Users Posts: 4,058 ✭✭✭afatbollix


    No jets needed. The chinocks are for stand by heavy support full of 'good guys'


    Its looking like they will use Knock for AF1?



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    #53
    Tenger
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 9,842 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tenger


    That timeline looks like AF1 into Belfast, ground convoy to Dublin.

    Marine 1 across to Ballina.

    Then leave Knock on AF1. (Small airport, middle of nowhere, easy to secure)



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    #54
    EchoIndia
    Registered Users Posts: 2,950 ✭✭✭EchoIndia


    How often has a US President in modern times done a lengthy road journey in Ireland? I am inclined to think it will be helicopters for shortish distances and 747 or 757 for travel between regions of the country/island. Of course there have to be contingency arrangements should the weather be unfavourable but I would not see him and the large accompanying entourage driving around the country.



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    #55
    GSBellew
    Registered Users Posts: 731 ✭✭✭GSBellew


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120449625#Comment_120449625

    50 vehicles and drivers are being hired in to ferry the entourage around, excluding the Beast which is already here and the SUV's that accompany it which have their own drivers.



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    #56
    Mech1
    Registered Users Posts: 5,098 ✭✭✭Mech1


    I would be quite surprised if AF1 doesn't land in Dublin, even if just for contingency planning.

    But I have been wrong many times before!



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    #57
    Mech1
    Registered Users Posts: 5,098 ✭✭✭Mech1


    I know of a hotel in Mayo where all staff have been questioned, all mobiles checked and now no longer allowed on the premises, all new uniforms ordered where needed and metal detectors added to all entrances and all staff sign a form that changes the rules regarding conversing any knowledge to the outside.



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    #58
    AerLingus747
    Registered Users Posts: 510 ✭✭✭AerLingus747


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120452927#Comment_120452927

    You may get an AWACS somewhere over the UK and the F-15's (probably F-35's now) from Lakenheath tend to do "training" in the Welsh MTA whenever the President is doing nay major air movements.



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    #59
    Tenger
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 9,842 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tenger


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120453403#Comment_120453403

    I concur with the precedent. But the journey from Belfast to Dublin via Carlingford seems like it can be accomplished as easily by fround as by air.

    Depends of course on the threat level the SS presume.

    (Ive witnessed ground level cavalcades of high level US Govt officials in the Dc area)



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    #60
    moonshy2022
    Registered Users Posts: 354 ✭✭moonshy2022


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120453516#Comment_120453516

    The only road journeys will be local. The rest will be by air, either by heli or by plane.



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    #61
    Muahahaha
    Registered Users Posts: 19,652 ✭✭✭✭Muahahaha


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120453445#Comment_120453445

    It was the F-35 I was hoping to get to see but it doesnt sound like they will be landing anywhere.

    Is the Welsh MTA the same area known as the Mach Loop?

    Also what happens Irish ATC when a US President is flying in Irish airspace. Do they give over control of the segments where AF1 is flying to the American military or are they still in full command.



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