US Vice President Mike Pence

[Grahame Hutchison]

Countdown To Mike Pence

Two USAF C-17A Globemaster IIIs arrived in Sydney around midday today, an advance party for the visit by US Vice President Mike Pence on the weekend.
The aircraft were 02-1107 and 03-3127, and the cargo was around 50 personnel, and several vehicles including an black SUV, black State Limousine, and a truck.

Both aircraft departed quite quickly after unloading, 03-3127 off Runway 34R to Brisbane, and 02-1107 of Runway 34L to Richmond. being empty, they both rotated very quickly.

The sun only popped out a few times when they arrived, and all except the first two images are taken through the new security fence.

02-1107 Departure to Richmond (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0nWVhf6b8E)

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=02-1107 D500-20170420-044.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=02-1107 D500-20170420-047.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=02-1107 D500-20170420-086.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=02-1107 D500-20170420-098.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=03-3127 D500-20170420-126.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=03-3127 D500-20170420-182.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=03-3127 D500-20170420-194.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=03-3127 D500-20170420-211.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=02-1107 D500-20170420-226.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=02-1107 D500-20170420-239.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=MEDIA D500-20170420-244.jpg

[Darren Butterworth]

Any idea on arrival time?

[Grahame Hutchison]

Nothing at the moment Darren.

[Greg Hyde]

Expected to be in town 4 days

Roads/bridge shutdown for motorcade access.

[Radi K]

Arriving tonight.

[Darren Butterworth]

Thanks Guys

[Greg Hyde]

Aircraft is a B747 Air Force 2.

I expect that the press won't be advised of ETA until close to arrival for Security.

(ie: Crew on standby to race out to airport to get shots)

[Greg Hyde]

The word is about 21:30

[MarkR]

Aircraft is a B747 Air Force 2.

I expect that the press won't be advised of ETA until close to arrival for Security.

(ie: Crew on standby to race out to airport to get shots)

It's not an E4 or VC25, is a C32, 80002 is the bird.

[Lukas M]

Cleared to land 34L SAM014

Who is the second aircraft about 10 miles out currently?

[Tim Bowrey]

SAM078 was right on its tail so probably that one. They were both in the circuit at the same time.

[Grahame Hutchison]

US Vice President Mike Pence arrived in Sydney tonight on board USAF VC-32A 98-0002, with VC-32A 99-0004 following closely behind. The aircraft parked on DOM 6.

USAF VC-32A 99-0004
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=99-0004 D500-20170421-154.jpg

USAF VC-32A 99-0004
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=99-0004 D500-20170421-163.jpg

USAF VC-32A 99-0004
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=99-0004 D500-20170421-170.jpg

USAF VC-32A 99-0004
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=99-0004 D500-20170421-172.jpg

USAF VC-32A 99-0004
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=99-0004 D500-20170421-174.jpg

USAF VC-32A 98-0002 was refueled very quickly, and the number two engine had the cowls open for inspection.
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=98-0002 D500-20170421-176.jpg

USAF VC-32A 98-0002
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=98-0002 D500-20170421-180.jpg

[Greg Hyde]

The second a/c is the backup a/c.

If the first goes u/s they switch to the backup a/c.

AF2 is a designation that travels with the VP not the a/c.

Whichever a/c the VP is on is AF2

[Reece perram]

Aircraft is a B747 Air Force 2.

I expect that the press won't be advised of ETA until close to arrival for Security.

(ie: Crew on standby to race out to airport to get shots)

Where did you get 747 from? AF1 is a 747 AF2 is a 757.

[Greg Hyde]

my mistake

[Grahame Hutchison]

In the light of day ...

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=98-0002 D500-20170422-010.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=98-0002 D500-20170422-013.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=98-0002 D500-20170422-016.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=98-0002 D500-20170422-018.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=99-0004 D500-20170422-020.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=98-0002 D500-20170422-112.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=99-0004 D500-20170422-015.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=99-0004 D500-20170422-108.jpg

[Philip Argy]

Does that 757 have supplementary lighting attached to the front landing gear?

And is that the still-propless Saab 340 sitting right next to 80002?

[Grahame Hutchison]

I think that's the standard B757 nose wheel lighting Philip (see comparison images below). And yes, that is the Rex Saab (VH-NRX), now with no propellers.

RNZAF B757 NZ7572
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=NZ7572 D100-2005-03-18_175.jpg

High Level Travel B757 G-ZAPX
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=G-ZAPX D500-20161121-032.jpg

[Philip Argy]

Yes - it seems to be the case, Grahame.

Also came across this while checking: http://craigmiddleton.co.uk/757/Biggles/www.crjresets.ca/z-Mcon/Hard2Find/B757/757_rr/airplane_general/lighting.html

[Rowan McKeever]

Where did you get 747 from? AF1 is a 747 AF2 is a 757.
Actually, AF1 is whatever the President is on and AF2 is whatever the Vice President is on. Either one can be any type of aircraft including, I believe, a civilian aircraft. Both are simply callsigns which can clearly be used by anything with a radio, just like QF1.

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

[Darren Butterworth]

Any idea on departure time tomorrow?

[Torin Wilson]

Actually, AF1 is whatever the President is on and AF2 is whatever the Vice President is on. Either one can be any type of aircraft including, I believe, a civilian aircraft. Both are simply callsigns which can clearly be used by anything with a radio, just like QF1.

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

Marine One on USMC aircraft
Navy One on USN aircraft
Army One on Army aircraft
Coast Guard One on USCG aircraft
Executive One on private/commercial should it ever happen

And even Ground Force One on this thing:
http://blog.nationalbus.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Obama-Bus.jpg

[Reece perram]

Oh ok, thanks for that.
I didn't actually know that

[Greg Hyde]

It will be interesting to see if the VP departs on the same aircraft that he arrived in Sydney.

Don't be surprised if they switch a/c for the next leg.

[MarkR]

He has been using the same bird whole trip, they are not duplicate aircraft when it comes to capabilities.

[Philip Argy]

Thought I spotted a couple of RAAF escorts tailing 980002 up the coast around 0830 - can anyone confirm that?