Is this Rumsfeld fact true? Used E-4B 747 as personal transport

[jollyreaper2112]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_E-4

Quote:
The Boeing E-4B Advanced Airborne Command Post, with a project name of "Nightwatch".



The airframe is a Boeing 747-200 aircraft specially built to serve as a survivable mobile command post for the National Command Authorities (the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense, and successors). Other support staff would board the aircraft such as members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The primary purpose of the aircraft was to provide a survivable platform to conduct war operations in the event of a nuclear attack. Early in the operations of the E-4 series, the media dubbed the aircraft as "the doomsday planes."

Estimates at the time of the production of the first E-4B placed the developmental cost at nearly 1 billion dollars (US). The roll out cost of the fleet was placed at approximately US$250 million each. The E-4B is capable of operating with a crew of 60 to 114 people, the largest crew of any aircraft in US Air Force history.

The E-4B is often responsible for Air Force One sightings. The E-4B is being used more frequently since it was chosen by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfield as his preferred means of transport when traveling outside the United States. No less than 60 crew members must accompany the aircraft whenever he uses it, more than usually required to operate Air Force One.


Anybody have some confirmation on this factoid? This makes Sununu look like he was borrowing a Pinto to make a run to the store!

[wakeme2008]

1. Where did you hear that Runsfield used one and how many

times :shrug:

[jollyreaper2112]

3. see link

Wikipedia, it's at the bottom of the E-4 entry, follow the link. On one hand, this sounds like the sort of shit they'd do. On the other hand, it seems like it could be too over the top even for them. And since Wiki is publically editable, I wanted to get some confirmation on this.

[jollyreaper2112]

4. it's true

http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:6hApJnDOVnQJ:www.defenselink.mil/news/Aug2005/20050801_2304.html+e-4b+rumsfeld&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1

Rumsfeld Uses 'Flying Pentagon' To Communicate During Trips
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2005 – Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld likes to take his office with him and stay connected to events on the ground when he flies overseas to visit with troops and confer with U.S. and allied military and civilian officials.

Rumsfeld's "flying Pentagon" of choice is an Air Force E-4B aircraft, a highly modified Boeing 747-200 four-engine jet. Known as the National Airborne Operations Center, the plane boasts sophisticated communications equipment as well as the capability to be refueled in flight.

The commander of the NAOC, Army Col. David L. Molinelli, pointed out July 24 during Rumsfeld's recent trip to Central Asia and Iraq that use of the converted 747 enables the secretary to conduct a variety of secure communications with senior government and military officials back on the ground. The NAOC, the colonel said, is a joint-service organization with headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., with the E4Bs assigned to the 55th Wing there.

"We have the day-to-day mission of the backup to the National Military Command Center in the Pentagon" in case of a national emergency, Molinelli explained. "We also provide support to the secretary of defense for his travel when we have aircraft available to do so."

After being attached to the tanker's fuel nozzle, the E-4B began receiving 90,000 pounds of JP-8 fuel, as flight engineer Master Sgt. Mike Skoworn maintained radio contact with the tanker, which was on autopilot during the refueling operation. Within the hour, a second tanker on the scene would deliver another 90,000 pounds of fuel to the thirsty E-4B.

"If we had to land somewhere and refuel, it would add, easily, three hours to the flight," Air Force Lt. Col. Bill Zehner, an instructor pilot, remarked in the cockpit during the refueling operation.

ARGH!!! WASTE WASTE WASTE WASTE WASTE!

[jollyreaper2112]

2. sorry

I know it's poor form to bump your own posts but today is busy, so many replies and topics sink like stones! (or like witches don't.)

[MyNameGoesHere]

5. You also know

TACAMO is a Navy Air Wing fully integrated on an Air Force base, carrying out a Navy mission in joint operations. Commander, Strategic Communications Wing One provides operational control and administrative support for Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadrons Three, Four, Seven and various training units. The Navy's TACAMO community provides a survivable communications link between national decision-makers and the country's arsenal of strategic nuclear weapons. In other words, our 16 E-6B Mercury aircraft enable the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense to directly contact submarines, bombers and missile silos protecting our national security through nuclear deterrence.

It is pretty normal and one of these <or more> are always in orbit with more on tactical standby.