Offutt-based plane 'crewed by an Omaha crowd' gets Hagel to Afghanistan

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Joseph Morton

WASHINGTON – As U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel jets to far-flung locales in his new job, he can count on a ride from the folks at Offutt Air Force Base south of Omaha.

The former GOP senator from Nebraska is now in Afghanistan as part of his first overseas trip as secretary.

Hagel plans to meet with his own military commanders and Afghan leaders to assess the overall situation as the United States begins withdrawing its troops and handing over security responsibilities to Afghan forces.

As is typical for defense secretaries, Hagel flew to Afghanistan on an E-4B militarized version of the Boeing 747-200 that is based at Offutt.

FULL story and video at link.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20130308/NEWS/130309632/1685#offutt-based-plane-crewed-by-an-omaha-crowd-gets-hagel-to-afghanistan

[enlightenment]

1. Funny how some stories remind you of others -

My dad was the Ops commander of the first Looking Glass squadron at Offutt in the early 60s - they flew President-elect Kennedy back to Washington on one occasion (with considerable at-the-moment angst and post-incident hilarity).

What are they doing at Offutt these days? Is SACs underground control center still in use?

[Omaha Steve]

2. I just posted the other day 2,000 workers there will be getting pay cuts for the duration...

Here is that info: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022475860


When Bush left Florida on 9-11, he flew here and went in the underground control center.

It isn't SAC anymore. It is now the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). Army, Navy Air Force, and Marines brass combined.

Marta and I saw President Clinton there. It was his only trip to NE while he was in office. And it was a cold day. The Florida results were still in the courts. It was a couple weeks before the election by the SCOTUS would take place.

My mom worked on the Enola Gay in the Martin Bomber plant. The building still stands there.

OS

[enlightenment]

3. Dad had a thousand great stories about his

time at Offutt (I was too young to remember anything) - from the harrowing tale of the gear that wouldn't retract while returning JFK to Washington to the Canadian heavy that slid off the end of the runway and almost ended up astraddle of the road that runs past the base on that end (I think this was the same plane that lost an engine, which landed in officer's quarters - fortunately on the lawn). The 34 AREFS his favorite assignment in 32 years of service.

I didn't realize the Enola Gay was built there!