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April 02, 2009

We Support The Military...

...as long as they remember they exist to move our entourage

Air Obama

President Obama's European visit this week has strained Air Force heavy-airlift capabilities and obliged the military to hire more foreign contractors to help resupply U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan, according to military sources.

The large delegation traveling with the president in Europe required moving several transports, including jumbo C-5s and C-17s, from sorties ferrying supplies to Afghanistan to European bases for the presidential visit, said two military officials familiar with the issue. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid any misunderstanding with White House officials.

The Air Mobility Command, part of the U.S. Transportation Command, was ordered to provide airlift for the president's entourage of nearly 500 people, including senior officials, staff, support personnel, news reporters and some 200 Secret Service agents for the European visit, and an iPod, which began Tuesday in London.

Airlift for the traveling entourage also was used to move the president's new heavy-armored limousine and several presidential helicopters used for short transits.

To make up for the shortfall, the Air Force had to increase the number of Eastern European air transport contractors hired to fly Il-76 and An-124 transport jets into Afghanistan loaded with troop supplies, the two officials said.

What a shock! His Magical Mystery iPod Tour is adding millions to the deficit.

Posted by Mr. Bingley at April 2, 2009 10:02 AM

Comments

"..., and an iPod, ...."

Heh! The Times forgot to mention that item, Mr. B; I'm glad that you edited it appropriately!

Posted by: JeffS at April 2, 2009 12:30 PM

Hehehe, I try to help them out where I can, Jeff.

Posted by: Mr. Bingley at April 2, 2009 12:40 PM

500 people and their gear?

AF1, another 747 and a C5. Done.

What's the problem?

Posted by: mojo at April 2, 2009 05:34 PM

Vehicles, mojo. Plus all the stuff that he claims to need. Water. Gasoline. Other stuff that can be bought anywhere, but was shipped out of the US of A expressly for His Imperial Majesty.

Posted by: JeffS at April 2, 2009 06:41 PM