While the White House has yet to make an official announcement as to where Air Force One will land for President George W. Bush's visit to Long Island Thursday, officials at Republic Airport say they're ready.
"Right now we can't even say officially that he's even coming here," airport manager Stephen Williams said. "But it looks very likely."
A presidential landing will give the East Farmingdale airport - which handles private, corporate, charter and commuter flights - a chance to show its stuff. It'll prove that Republic has the security in place and a long enough runway to handle the task.
"It's the president of the United States," Williams said. "It solidifies the value of the airport as an asset to do national business."
And it makes sense logistically for Air Force One to land there, he added, because it's closer to Bay Shore than Islip [Long Island MacArthur] or Kennedy airports. "It's the best way to minimize inconvenience and interference," Williams said.
Williams said he expects that the Air Force One aircraft would be one of the largest planes to land at Republic.
For now, the White House press office isn't saying which airport the president will use. "We can't comment at all on security details taken around presidential travel," spokesman Ken Lisaius said.
"It's a matter of national security," was the same phrase used yesterday by officials who are privy to details. Even local authorities, including state and Suffolk police, referred questions to the White House.
Yesterday Lisaius said more information might be released closer to Bush's arrival on Thursday. Secret Service agents did not return calls for comment. Williams said he expects a formal airport announcement to come tomorrow.
For now, Nassau police, which will likely play the largest local law enforcement role because Bush is expected to spend most of his time in that county, can't even alert the public as to which streets to avoid for heavy traffic.
Nassau police spokesman Anthony Repalone said the department has to wait until the day of the visit to announce road closures for Bush's travel. Nassau police have been meeting with the Secret Service in preparation, Repalone said.
"We're doing anything they want us to do to ensure the safety of the president," he said.
I will be on call for this one. If Air Force One, a 747, is landing at Farmigdale's Republic Airport, I will be going with my camera. I used to work under the approach pattern to this Airport. It handles small GA, small business jets. The biggest I have ever seen was a 737 when VP Al Gore came here. It will be pretty cool to see that huge jet land over there!
The reason he is coming is to be present at a 9-11 Memorial here in my area.
There will be no speeches at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Nassau County 9/11 Memorial on Thursday, just the sound of bagpipes playing "Amazing Grace" in honor of the nearly 300 people with ties to Nassau County who died in the World Trade Center attack.
President George W. Bush, on Long Island for a re-election fund-raising event, will attend the invitation-only groundbreaking in Eisenhower Park, along with families of the victims. Also scheduled to attend are Gov. George Pataki, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi and several members of the foundation that is spearheading the memorial to pay respects and give support to those family members who lost loved ones in the worst attack on American soil.
I will keep you guys informed!!
...!
...!
...!
....!
