Air Force One at JFK right now

[gonzalu]

Just passed over me at Costco. Why is it here? And will it leave today? :-)

31R is still closed. Going over to HoBe just in case it leaves that way. But it will likely leave the same way it came. The takeoffs have slowed to a crawl but still using 31L KK

[gonzalu]

Parked by the triple hangars. 4 or 5 helos departed right away to CT

[JHNA57]

Two (2) Marine 1's and three CH-46'sa just passed the North Shore of Nassau heading north into Connecticut.
Actually that is the second time today I saw them, at around noon, I saw the same formation heading south towards Kennedy.

[Woz]

Useful link for the potus itinerary. Says he'll be departing NY at 4:50PM

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/p...cker/calendar/

[gonzalu]

As per Woz, POTUS should be leaving around 4:50p

[gonzalu]

Lol. Ne'er mind. I posted before I saw your post LOL

[eric8669]

[JHNA57]

Two (2) Marine 1's and three CH-46'sa just passed the North Shore of Nassau heading north into Connecticut.
Actually that is the second time today I saw them, at around noon, I saw the same formation heading south towards Kennedy.

TRIFECTA

The helicopter formation just passed over again (16:45), this time heading south towards JFK

[JHNA57]

TRIFECTA

The helicopter formation just passed over again (16:45), this time heading south towards JFK

QUADRAFECTA?????

The same formation just passed over again (17:50), this time heading back north towards Connecticut

[gonzalu]

Eric, where were you? I was at Costco :-) were you there for [it] or was it a surprise for you as much as it was for me?

[eric8669]

Eric, where were you? I was at Costco :-) were you there for [it] or was it a surprise for you as much as it was for me?

I was only out for about an hour or so to shoot Egypt Air, but shortly after I arrived I heard AF1 call in on the scanner, so yes it was a bit of a surprise. I was over by Panera, they usually don't like people shooting over at Costco these days

[gonzalu]

Darn.,.. I was in such a hurry to get to Costco I didn't swing by Panera like I normally do. Too bad, we could have met. I have been shooting at Costco for the last few outings and have had nice conversations with Costco employees, Nassau County PO, and other passersby and not a problem yet ! I have a Membership Card just in case I can always play it off lol.

[gonzalu]

So here is my story. I headed out to JFK today late, never expecting any more than the usual fare. I planned to go to HoBe for departures but figured heck, I 'll do Costco/Panera just in case one of the planes I am missing shows up.

Instead of going directly to Rockaway Blvd. from the Van Wyck, I decided to stroll through the main road through the airport and then the Hangar roads just in case. IT paid off. I noticed unusual police activity and then spotted the Marine Helos by the Triple Hangars... bingo I knew someone big was coming. Quickly checked FlightAware but of course nada. I ran to Costco and set up. About two or three planes in, Air Force One checked in to Kennedy Approach and soon after, JFK Tower for Runway 31R. I was all set...

Sorry for the quality as these are JPGs straight out of camera, just cropped and watermarked in CS5. I will process properly later tonight :-)







I then headed out to try and catch the helicopters moving out to Connecticut as Woz was kind enough to help with. However, I was low on gas and while I was at BP they headed out northeast of the airport :-(
So now to try and snag a shot of AF1 on the ground. The place was crawling with PANYNJ Police cars and officers on foot in every gate, ramp, overpass etc. Lots of secret service too on the top of some of the hangars.

I could not get a clean shot from the side but did manage to get a nice front shot from the overpass while stopped at the light while a cop eyeballed me from his RMP. Apologies for the poor quality as these were shot out of my side window and front windshield





Since the place was very secure, I decided to head out of the airport and try to catch the helos coming back. I was told he would leave 4:50pm so I waited and waited. Then while going down Rockaway Blvd., they came out of no where to the south of the FedEx hangars... I shot these while moving out of the front windshield... heavily cropped and backlit :-(









The departure was going to be tough to predict as Zee71 and I debated wind direction, the fact that Air Force One waits for no one, that they will take off with the wind unlike normal aircraft etc. etc.

Given the gusts and direction of the wind and the exclusive use of RWY 31R/13L, we bet on a 31R departure and went over to HoBe. Mark got there first with ample time and just as I was about to get on the bridge over the channel, I heard Air Force One cleared for RWY 22R and saw her leave in the distance. I attempted to get a shot or two but it was not to be.

It was a very enjoyable and rewarding day for me and a total surprise! ;-)

Thanks to all here and to Mark for the tips he showed me without which I wouldn't have gotten the shots.

[gonzalu]

You think the people who install the lights along the road gave any consideration to Photographers ? I could not get a clean shot without either the light pole, the trees or Iceland Air in the way :-(





view from the road right next to Iceland Cargo was just this poor shot though a fence

[Zee71]

Not the greatest, considering she took-off on 22R and I was situated in HoBe and the light was terrible.