Vice President of the United States tours Australia

Being the second most powerful man in the world is something not to be taken lightly at all . With the title comes a great deal of responsibility. So when Vice President of the United States of America, Joe Biden visits he certainly shows what this sort of title brings with it.  With an Airlift mobilised to rival our own R.A.A.F, Melbourne’s Tullamarine and Mascot in Sydney were the staging grounds for these some impressive aviation action.

Of course nothing is simple or small scale when shifting the Vice President and his traveling companions including, but not limited to, the  Secret Service, USAF, Media and even a motor cade across the other side of the planet. To this you need airlift and plenty of it, as well as precise planning to accommodate the requirements of not only the people but also the aircraft.

The planing as mentioned is meticulous and to this end Melbourne and Sydney spotters have been treated to U.S.A.F Boeing C-17A Globemasters arriving with various logistical items well ahead of the main event.

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III on the runway 27 approach at Tullamarine.

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 08-8195

It all started on the East Coast of Australia when the first of three Boeing C-17A Globemaster III’s, 02-1106 landed at Melbourne on the 6th July. This was quickly followed by 08-8195 and 00-0184 all were operated by 62nd Airlift Wing based at McChord Field which is home to McChord Field’s four active C-17 squadrons.  Next to arrive was 08-8195 which is attached to the 446th Airlift Wing, was the first to arrive on July 14th followed by the second C-17A 00-0184 about 30 minutes or so behind the previous aircraft. Both aircraft arrived in Brisbane earlier in the morning before proceeding to Melbourne.

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 08-8195

Some history on McChord Field,  it is home to a wide variety of units and missions located at Fort Lewis, in Washington. The 62nd Airlift Wing is the active duty wing on McChord Field. It is also home to the Reserve Partner the 446th Airlift Wing. Together, the two wings fly around 50 Boeing C-17A Globemaster IIIs to provide combat airlift were required. The base is also home to the Western Air Defence Sector, an Air National Guard unit, the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron as well as the 361st Recruiting Squadron.

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 08-8195 unloads the motorcade.

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 00-0184

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 00-0184, note deployed reverse thrust on inboard station engine.

Arriving at Melbourne just after 20:30 pm on Saturday 16th July was Boeing C-32A 98-0001 (which is the military variant of the Boeing 757-2G4) This aircraft was delivered to the USAF on the 1st June 1998. It was the aircraft that brought Vice President Biden to Melbourne along with US members of Press, Secret Service and others. A short time later 98-0002 again a Boeing C-32A arrived. The primary users of this type of aircraft are the Vice President of the United States, using the distinctive call sign “Air Force Two”, the First Lady or the Secretary of State. On very rare occasions, other members of the U.S. Cabinet and Congressional leaders have been authorized to fly aboard the C-32 for various missions. Crews are from the 1st Airlift Squadron, 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base based at Maryland, Washington. There are currently 9 C-32s in the active fleet.

USAF 98-80001 C-32A arrives on a crisp Melbourne evening.

USAF 98-80001 C-32A positions itself on the hardstanding outside MAP

A salute from the Airforce for the Vice President and the crew aboard.

Some of the 32 cars involved in the escorting and transport duties.

Victorian Police, Fire and Ambulance members were at the forefront of the event.

Vice President Joe Biden, greats Victorian officials including Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

With all these aircraft the Melbourne Airport Precinct at the Southern side of the airport was quickly turned into USAF base Tullamarine. As was to be expected security was a high priority with Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police the Secret Service, and even the CIA closely monitoring people in and around the area.

USAF Airbase Tullamarine on Sunday 17th July 2016 Two C-32A’s and two C-17A’s

The Vice President was in Melbourne to attend and visit the following:

•  Visit to the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre
•  Flag presentation and meeting with World War II veterans
•  Visit to Carlton vs West Coast Eagles AFL game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
•  Dinner given by the Honourable Linda Dessau AM, Governor of Victoria
•  Tour of Boeing Aerostructures Australia at Fishermans Bend, Melbourne

His stay in Melbourne was short with Sydney being the next stop. The airport was again being tightly monitored by Security, Secret Service and the Victorian Police as the airport prepared for the departures of the two aircraft. They both departed at around 13:45pm on Monday July 18th. First to line up was 98-8001 followed quickly by 98-8002.

USAF C-32A 98-80001 98-80002 prepare to depart on runway 34 for Sydney.

USAF C-32A 98-80001 on take off.

USAF C-32A 98-80001, lifts off at Tullamarine.

Airforce 2 rotates out of Tullamarine.

USAF C-32A 98-80002 lines up on runway 34.

USAF C-32A 98-80002 leaves Tullamarine

The Vice President’s commitments in Sydney include:

•  Tour of HMAS Adelaide Navy vessel
•  Meeting with the Honourable Malcolm Turnbull MP
•  Cruise on Sydney Harbour  Tour of Taronga Zoo
•  Dinner given by His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC and Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove

Aviation Spotters Online wishes to thank and acknowledge the people from Melbourne Airport Corporation, Public Affairs and Media for the Australian Government and the U.S. Consulate General, for their assistance in the preparation of this article.

Thank you to all of you.

Dave Soderstrom