However, in inclement weather, when the flight crews are flying in instrument conditions, they can’t see each other. Vectoring a number of converging aircraft toward one another, and assigning them to the same altitude in a reasonably confined area, would be chaotic and most probably catastrophic. The chances of a midair collision would be extremely high.
Placing a particular airplane — Air Force One — in a precarious position would be the easy part. Like a crapshoot, the outcome would be impossible to predict because the circumstances are beyond one’s total control. But the chances of Air Force One swapping paint with another airplane were frighteningly high.
In addition to the radios, Yahyavi had purchased folding antennas that would increase the range of the radios. From their vantage point overlooking the airport boundary, they would be able to disrupt the majority of normal aviation communications and create havoc with the flow of air traffic into Atlanta/Hartsfield International.
They also had two portable radio scanners that allowed them to listen to the various aviation frequencies while they monitored police- and fire-department communications on the public service band.
“Here’s an update,” Yahyavi said when a revised local weather forecast came on the television.
The conditions were so bad that Delta Air Lines was reporting one-hour delays and twenty-nine of their arriving flights had been diverted to other destinations.
“Almost perfect conditions,” Yahyavi said excitedly. “Who could ask for more?”
“No one,” Farkas replied as a tiny grin creased his face.
Yahyavi stared into the dark eyes of his accomplice. “Death to the enemies of the revolution! Death to Macklin!”
“With Allahu’s blessing,” Farkas said bitterly, “the president of the United States will not see another sunrise.”
Among many other important missions, the Air Mobility Command’s elite 89th Airlift Wing is responsible for the operations of the special aircraft used by the president, vice-president, cabinet members, members of Congress, high-ranking dignitaries, and senior members of the U.S. military. The dedicated men and women of the 89th pride themselves on providing the safest and very highest-quality service.
Before leaving his office at Andrews Air Force Base, the 89th Operations Group commander finished his morning coffee, then stepped in front of his full-length mirror. Colonel Curtis Wayne Bolton checked his shiny black shoes, adjusted his tie, and straightened his immaculate blue tunic. Along with the silver command-pilot wings, the colorful rows of decorations were perfectly aligned and centered on his left breast.
The tall, silver-haired officer donned his hat with the scrambled-egg insignia sprawled across the visor, then closed his chart case. It was time for the presidential pilot to board Air Force One.
The flight to Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport had been coordinated with the applicable air-traffic-control agencies, including the Andrews control tower, Washington departure control, en route air-traffic-control centers, and the appropriate Air Force command posts. Every detail of the flight had been double- and sometimes triple-checked.
Approaching the Boeing 747-200B, designated a military VC-25, Bolton returned the crisp salute of Chief Master Sergeant Willard T. Brewer. The good-natured sergeant, whose ancestors included slaves and sharecroppers from the Mississippi Delta, always greeted his pilot with a wide smile. Being associated with transporting the president to the Cornerstone Summit made Brewer’s smile seem even wider than usual.
Like the rest of the crew of Air Force One, Sergeant Brewer had been individually screened and selected by Colonel Bolton. The well-organized, highly professional team represented the best of the best in the United States Air Force.
Entering the spotless state-of-the-art cockpit, Bolton was greeted by his copilot, Lieutenant Colonel Kirk Upshaw. The young, clean-cut Air Force Academy graduate was a highly motivated officer with a bright future. Upshaw’s career aspirations were greatly enhanced by the fact that his father had been an Air Force combat fighter pilot who rose to be chief of staff at Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers Europe.
“Everything ready to go?” Bolton asked Upshaw while he glanced at the navigation charts and instrument approach plates.
“All set. We have our clearance and we’re ready to start engines.”
“Good.” Bolton gave the flight deck a cursory inspection. “I’m going to take a walk-through — see how we’re doing.”
Upshaw nodded as he adjusted his seat.
Leaving the quiet surroundings of the cockpit, Bolton chatted with various security personnel, Secret Service agents, and members of the news media while he made his way through the giant airplane. Along the way, he took time out to visit with a group of influential black leaders and a key senator from Georgia.
The amicable politician never tired of having the opportunity to arrive in his home state aboard the royal chariot known as Air Force One. He knew the value of an appearance in the company of the president of the United States, especially to his constituents and the media. The wily and charming senator thoroughly enjoyed regaling his public with stories about the times he had coached presidents while he’d been onboard the flying White House.
Continuing his tour of the airplane, Bolton inspected the 4,000 square feet of living/working space, including the two galleys, the medical suite, the six passenger lavatories, and the mission communications center. Packed with an array of cryptographic equipment, radios, and computers, the sophisticated comm center provided worldwide secure data and voice communications. The presidential 747 also had triple redundancy in cockpit communications, including UHF and VHF radios.
Paying special attention to detail and cleanliness, the command pilot checked on the plush executive suite that provided the president and his family with a private office, dressing room, bathroom, stateroom, and conference/dining area. The personal attention to detail aboard Air Force One would rival the most prestigious hotels.
Separate accommodations were provided for aides, guests, Secret Service agents, security specialists, and representatives of the news media. The flight crew had their own lounge and minigalley.
Designed to carry seventy passengers and twenty-three crew members, the long-range 747 was equipped with nineteen television monitors, eleven VCRs, a thermonuclear shield, and eighty-five telephones. Every inch of the 238 miles of onboard wiring has been specially shielded to protect it from electromagnetic pulses that would emanate from a thermonuclear blast. The shielding also protects the wiring from more common electromagnetic interference.
Cruising at 560 mph at an altitude of 35,000 feet, the big jet could fly over 9,000 statute miles without refueling. Using the in-flight refueling capability, the presidential platform could safely remain airborne for two weeks or longer if necessary.
Bolton was pleased to see that every task and request had been taken care of, including the specially prepared breakfast for the president. Fresh newspapers and magazines, excluding the publications banned by the first lady, were onboard the jumbo jet. In addition, a navigation chart with the plane’s course was on the president’s desk.
Even though the exterior of the airplane had been carefully preflighted, Bolton walked back down the boarding stairs to make a final inspection. After exchanging greetings with the Air Force guards and the Secret Service agents, he strolled around the outside of the flying White House.