USAF C-17 x 2 enroute with POTUS clobber

[r6pilot]

Hi 111blackmike potus is staying in Edinburgh so maybe get a lot of activity helicopters may visit Edinburgh for refuel

[balamorybuzzed]

15.51 Reach 4582 departed for Prestwick.

[MichaelC99]

So if Potus staying in Edinburgh I'd assume af1 would be landing Edinburgh or even Leuchars, I've seen confirmation that the vh-60 was delivered to Glasgow this morning, anyone have info on what came out the c17s at Leuchars? Might need to change my plans once we have more info

[Mike]

Both C-17s had a VH-60N on board, there are photos on the RAF Leuchars Spotters Facebook group of them being unloaded from each aircraft.
Sadly it seems that many of the regular FC Leuchars members are just posting on that FB site now.

[iain s]

4580 on approach now from east, any info on what comes off would be helpful, hopefully its marine1&2 to come to prestwick

There is rumours that the helicopters might not visit Prestwick. How true that is who knows but it would be a shame for the spotters at Prestwick if it’s true.

Had plenty other visits in past, great to see them going else where.

[Nighthawke]

Someone always misses out - all part of spotting (or not!)

[MichaelC99]

4580 on approach now from east, any info on what comes off would be helpful, hopefully its marine1&2 to come to prestwick

There is rumours that the helicopters might not visit Prestwick. How true that is who knows but it would be a shame for the spotters at Prestwick if it’s true.

Had plenty other visits in past, great to see them going else where.

Yeh im not too fussed where it goes, if I'm off work the day it arrives I'll see it, mainly want to see af1 and anything else will be a bonus

[raameagle]

I’m told that 163259 was one of them.
Regards
Mark

[jwramsay]

https://youtu.be/ME0dpqbwxhI

2nd C-17 dropping off a White Hawk.

[venom]

did they push that up to 111 blimey

[Nighthawke]

Well the tug/tractor did!

[SamP]

https://youtu.be/ME0dpqbwxhI

2nd C-17 dropping off a White Hawk.

Brilliant video, thanks for posting that! Great to see Leuchars used in such a way.

Any word on the serial of the other/second Whitehawk? and if possible which one was delivered by which C-17?

[jwramsay]

So if Potus staying in Edinburgh I'd assume af1 would be landing Edinburgh or even Leuchars, I've seen confirmation that the vh-60 was delivered to Glasgow this morning, anyone have info on what came out the c17s at Leuchars? Might need to change my plans once we have more info

Two whitetops at Leuchars Michael, one at Glasgow. Steps delivered to EDI today, so looks like PIK will not see AF1 unless it postions down there after decanting POTUS

[TomG]

https://youtu.be/ME0dpqbwxhI

2nd C-17 dropping off a White Hawk.

Brilliant video, thanks for posting that! Great to see Leuchars used in such a way.

Any word on the serial of the other/second Whitehawk? and if possible which one was delivered by which C-17?

Interested in these identities myself but haven't been able to find any information regarding the two VH-60Ns.

[Malcolm]

So if Potus staying in Edinburgh I'd assume af1 would be landing Edinburgh or even Leuchars, I've seen confirmation that the vh-60 was delivered to Glasgow this morning, anyone have info on what came out the c17s at Leuchars? Might need to change my plans once we have more info

Two whitetops at Leuchars Michael, one at Glasgow. Steps delivered to EDI today, so looks like PIK will not see AF1 unless it postions down there after decanting POTUS

They often position an 'escape' helicopter at a 3rd airport. IIRC when the NATO conference was in Wales they squirreled away a VH60 at St Athan, whilst the two active Marine 1 VH60's operated from Fairford.

The runways at Edinburgh(8386), Glasgow(8743) and Leuchars(8494) are a bit short for operating a fully loaded VC-25/B-742. No problems landing, but taking off with a full fuel load for a trip back stateside? Prestwick (9797) would appear to be a better candidate. Also possible it'll be a VC-32 into Scotland (from Rome?) and then a VC-25 out of Prestwick on the way home.

[MichaelC99]

So if Potus staying in Edinburgh I'd assume af1 would be landing Edinburgh or even Leuchars, I've seen confirmation that the vh-60 was delivered to Glasgow this morning, anyone have info on what came out the c17s at Leuchars? Might need to change my plans once we have more info

Two whitetops at Leuchars Michael, one at Glasgow. Steps delivered to EDI today, so looks like PIK will not see AF1 unless it postions down there after decanting POTUS

They often position an 'escape' helicopter at a 3rd airport. IIRC when the NATO conference was in Wales they squirreled away a VH60 at St Athan, whilst the two active Marine 1 VH60's operated from Fairford.

The runways at Edinburgh(8386), Glasgow(8743) and Leuchars(8494) are a bit short for operating a fully loaded VC-25/B-742. No problems landing, but taking off with a full fuel load for a trip back stateside? Prestwick (9797) would appear to be a better candidate. Also possible it'll be a VC-32 into Scotland (from Rome?) and then a VC-25 out of Prestwick on the way home.

Thanks for the info, been trying to piece it together myself though still new to the world of flight photography nvm throwing potus into the mix where im assuming any information could change last second. lets hope we all manage to see them whereever they may go

[ArabJazzie]

So if Potus staying in Edinburgh I'd assume af1 would be landing Edinburgh or even Leuchars, I've seen confirmation that the vh-60 was delivered to Glasgow this morning, anyone have info on what came out the c17s at Leuchars? Might need to change my plans once we have more info

Two whitetops at Leuchars Michael, one at Glasgow. Steps delivered to EDI today, so looks like PIK will not see AF1 unless it postions down there after decanting POTUS

They often position an 'escape' helicopter at a 3rd airport. IIRC when the NATO conference was in Wales they squirreled away a VH60 at St Athan, whilst the two active Marine 1 VH60's operated from Fairford.

The runways at Edinburgh(8386), Glasgow(8743) and Leuchars(8494) are a bit short for operating a fully loaded VC-25/B-742. No problems landing, but taking off with a full fuel load for a trip back stateside? Prestwick (9797) would appear to be a better candidate. Also possible it'll be a VC-32 into Scotland (from Rome?) and then a VC-25 out of Prestwick on the way home.

G8 2005, the escape VH-60 was held at Perth/Scone Aerodrome.

Im sure Edinburgh and Glasgow have supported 747-200 airline ops in the past and i dont see a reason why a VC-25 could not use the "shorter" runways you mentioned. I would expect the take off weight of said VC-25 would not be anywhere near max and i thought they can be air refuelled?
Arabest,
Geoff.

[Malcolm]

G8 2005, the escape VH-60 was held at Perth/Scone Aerodrome.

Im sure Edinburgh and Glasgow have supported 747-200 airline ops in the past and i dont see a reason why a VC-25 could not use the "shorter" runways you mentioned. I would expect the take off weight of said VC-25 would not be anywhere near max and i thought they can be air refuelled?

VC-25's can be air-refuelled. However, I'm not aware of a single instance when they have done so with POTUS aboard - considered too high risk would be my guess. On trips to the middle east and India they tend to bounce through Ramstein.

Of-course it always used to be true that the E4 would go to a different country than POTUS, and that seems to have changed in recent years. Only a couple of days to wait until we know for sure.

[ArabJazzie]

G8 2005, the escape VH-60 was held at Perth/Scone Aerodrome.

Im sure Edinburgh and Glasgow have supported 747-200 airline ops in the past and i dont see a reason why a VC-25 could not use the "shorter" runways you mentioned. I would expect the take off weight of said VC-25 would not be anywhere near max and i thought they can be air refuelled?

VC-25's can be air-refuelled. However, I'm not aware of a single instance when they have done so with POTUS aboard - considered too high risk would be my guess. On trips to the middle east and India they tend to bounce through Ramstein.

Of-course it always used to be true that the E4 would go to a different country than POTUS, and that seems to have changed in recent years. Only a couple of days to wait until we know for sure.

I am no longer in contact with the guy who would know the answer, but i have something nagging at me that ive been looking out for AF1 trundling up the Flamborough track one dark evening. However, that is an aside to my main point that Edinburgh is plenty big enough for AF1 and Leuchars is out for other reasons. And is he heading home after COP anyway?
Arabest,
Geoff.

[Unknown74]

Has anyone seen any more of the Helicopters since they've arrived? Also is there still an Osprey around?