 Marine One, the Presidential helicopter, lands on the White House South Lawn.
November 22nd, 2011
09:58 AM ET
"Weather Call"In White House speak; a “weather call” is an official determination if it is safe for the President to fly on Marine One or Air Force One during adverse weather conditions. Heavy rain, sleet, snow, lightning, and most often dense fog can ground the specially equipped Presidential aircraft. A “weather call” is a thumb up or thumb down decision based on the current weather conditions and the safety of using aircraft to transport the President and White House staff. One rule of thumb at the White House, if officials cannot see the tip of the Washington Monument from the White House, Marine One will not land or take off from the South Lawn. The President is usually forced to take a lengthy motorcade ride to his destination.  The president departed on Marine One Friday with his daughter Sasha. It was later revealed the hellicopter was diverted.
September 2nd, 2011
07:20 PM ET
White House diverts Marine One – and raises questions President Barack Obama left for Camp David on Marine One Friday but, in a twist that has left some White House reporters scratching their heads, he apparently arrived at the presidential retreat by car. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney explained the decision not to land at Camp David was made in advance because of the weather. Marine One landed at an alternate site near Frederick, Maryland and the president and his daughter, Sasha, rode in a motorcade the rest of way to the compound. Because it is customary practice that the traveling press pool is included whenever the president uses a motorcade, reporters naturally wondered why the pool was not part of the trip or even informed that the president would use a motorcade ahead of time. Meanwhile, CNN's weather team found no signs of stormy weather in the area at the time Marine One departed the White House. The White House said there were no mechanical issues with the presidential helicopter. "It was a bit of a surprise because he (Obama) usually does not land here. They usually go all the way to Camp David," said Kristy Rossignuolo, a customer service representative at the Frederick Municipal Airport. Also Friday, a fighter under the direction of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) intercepted an aircraft in the vicinity of Camp David. The civilian aircraft left the restricted area and landed at the Martinsburg Airport in West Virginia, NORAD said. No other details were immediately available on the incident, which was separate from the decision to divert Marine One. CNN's Jessica Yellin and John Branch contributed to this report
September 2nd, 2011
04:47 PM ET
Friday fun: Catching a ride on Marine OneWe can all remember a time when driving around in our family's wheels was considered social suicide. And depending on what generation you grew up in, it could have been a dusty old pick-up truck, a velour-seated station wagon or, dare we say it, a mini-van (gasp!) If only we had been members of the first family. Pampered pups, Hawaiian vacations and college move-ins are only some of the perks for the presidential peeps while aboard the well-known Marine One chopper. So Mr. President, when is it our turn to take a ride? 
March 4th, 2011
10:48 PM ET
Marine One wheels downArriving home in a helicopter is never a bad way to roll...President Barack Obama returns to the White House on Marine One Friday evening after spending the day in Miami, Florida, where he visited a school and delivered remarks on education, and attended two fundraisers for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. |
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