LBG, June 5th & 6th, 2007, Robert M Gates is in town

**Three Forty** · 2007-10-28, 03:51 PM

Hi all ;) A very nice spotting at Le Bourget I would share with you... My first E-4 !!!!

US Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates came to Paris on June 5th, 2007, to meet french defense minister and to go to D-Day memorial ceremony in Normandy.

Landing RWY07, the highlight of the year !!!!

Papa 1 apron

Lights are ready for the night

Nice motorcade

Departure of one of the nicest visitor at LBG this year !

Smaller but interesting too, a C-9B

Last but not least, CH-53Es 161252, 161541 and 162521

The end 8)

**njgtr82** · 2007-10-28, 03:59 PM

Great shots, I love the 53's... my favorite helo's.

**PhilDernerJr** · 2007-10-28, 04:02 PM

Great coverage!

Why are E-4s all over Europe, but never in the US? It seems like every photo I see is out of the US. I wanna see this thing!

I've never a Marine aircraft either. Always USAF or Navy.

**Mateo** · 2007-10-28, 09:47 PM

The E-4s are the primary transport whenever the Secretary of Defence goes abroad. Otherwise, there's no real use for them to be using commercial airports in the US. I've seen them 3 or 4 times, always heading over the Washington area inbound Andrews.

**Three Forty** · 2007-10-29, 11:30 AM

But why the SecDef has to fly with E-4 ? And why not C-32 or C-40 ?
Note that I'm very happy lol :D

**Chris102** · 2007-10-29, 06:18 PM

Wow! Great shots!

Like Phil said, even though it's our plane, we never see it flying here! You're very lucky! :borat:

**Mateo** · 2007-10-29, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Three Forty

But why the SecDef has to fly with E-4 ? And why not C-32 or C-40 ?

Because Rumsfeld said so. The SecDef used to use normal VIP transport, but after 9/11, Rummy changed the protocol to use the E-4.

**stuart schechter** · 2007-10-29, 08:10 PM

Great shots! Really beautiful.

**SengaB** · 2007-10-30, 02:46 AM

As Mathew stated, They can frequently be seen flying over the Washington DC area. I have seen them several times when I visit Home.
First shot is ADW Andrews AFB, Second shot is COF Patrick AFB
The shot at COF was the first aircraft I photographed when I arrived in FL last January.
The E-4Bs are based out of Offutt OFF AFB
ADW

COF

Senga

**Three Forty** · 2007-10-30, 05:16 AM

Nice shots Senga !!

**PhilDernerJr** · 2007-10-30, 06:03 AM

I remember being at OFF last year and looking around....wondering which of the many hangars contained those planes. It is a very unsuspecting base.

**T-Bird76** · 2007-10-30, 09:28 AM

Great shots there! Funny right now I'm sitting next to someone who served aboard that E-4!

**SengaB** · 2007-10-31, 02:08 PM

Thanks,
I would have preffered to get the shots you did Stéphane :)
From a distance it looks like the NASA 747 but when you can make out the flag it all brings it into perspective.
I have a pretty coool shot of somehting frmo the program so I cant find it.

Tommy, did he tell you anything about the E-4?
Senga