Twitter is all aflutter

[Texasgal]

over Marine One hanging out over Pence's residence?? Does anyone know what's going on? Or is this just bullshit?

[Girard442]

1. Maybe just flying Marine One around to agitate people.

Nahhhh. Maybe somebody who could find his ass with both hands might do that.

[msongs]

2. they're coming to take him away ha ha hee hee ho ho nt

[AllaN01Bear]

13. i see what you did there . you activate my earworm playlist .

now that is going to be in my head all nite .

[lindysalsagal]

3. Been there all afternoon. We were discussing it earlier.

It was there when pense was at the wh in a covid meeting. At least that's what they called it....

[C_U_L8R]

4. Trump is dropping water balloons.

Except that's not water.

[grumpyduck]

5. It wouldn't be Marine One unless donnie was on it.

Otherwise it's just one of three identical choppers.

Security, maybe?

[Ms. Toad]

8. Once again proving the need for improving basic civics competency. N/t

[RockRaven]

6. It's only "Marine One" when it's being used for POTUS. Aren't there like a dozen or two helicopters

in that fleet which all look the same?

[A HERETIC I AM]

16. There are 11 VH-3D Sea Kings and 9 VH-60N White Hawks all painted with the White Top

Known, coincidentally enough, as the “White Tops” which can ALL use the call sign “Marine One” If they are carrying the president.


HMX-1 also operates VH-22 Ospreys and CH-46 Sea Knights (Dual Rotor type helicopters) that are painted green used to transport Secret Service and Press.

https://www.helis.com/database/sqd/HMX-1/cn

This video of Obama arriving at the Heliport in Southern Manhattan in 2011 shows a full compliment of 4 helicopters;

[ananda]

7. Check out this funny tweet.

Link to tweet

[Yonnie3]

9. Twitter is always aflutter about something or other

A few days ago an armed mob was looking for Pence and chanting "hang Pence." Isn't it possible that the people in charge of his security might have stepped up the protection?

[LSFL]

10. Remember that awful old song called..

If I had a rocket launcher?

I is a great if little known anti war song that hits me harder nowadays.

[KatyMan]

12. It's not awful!

Don't forget this one too from Bruce Cockburn:

[gibraltar72]

11. I'm guessing it is part of the beefed up security

I heard Pence was getting. He is scared spitless.

[soothsayer]

14. He should be. Drumpf openly threatened the guy

And declared open season on pence.

I nearly feel sorry for him.

[crickets]

15. Speculation that it might be a security drill of some kind:

Link to tweet

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1348742422138822657.html

Let me take a stab at this after years of reporting on Marine One, HMX-1, Continuity of Government, etc. None of this is definitive, but it could help explain what folks are seeing:

1.) HMX-1, which flies the VH-3D and VH-60N 'White Top' helicopters used to move... 1/X

the President and VP around, those helos being called Marine One or Two when either is onboard, need to train. The urban landing zones, including WH and VP Residence, are not simple to get in and out of. So, crews need some currency training. They are not just tasked with... 2/X

moving POTUS and VP to get them around the region and to Andrews AFB for long-haul flights, they are essential to Continuity of Government operations. This means that if a threat were to emerge, they need to be ready to snatch POTUS and VP in minutes. This is partially... 3/X

why they have a full forward operating location at Naval Support Activity Anacostia, just 3 miles from the WH. As such, practice is important and considering the state of things, it is critical now more than in any recent memory. 4/X

2.) Considering what happened last week, including mobs of Trump supporters screaming in unison to hang the VP for doing what the constitution states, absolutely despicable in every way, security has been tightened just as it has been all over. Using the helicopters instead.. 5/X

of the motorcade to get the VP where he needs to go is among the most obvious security changes that SHOULD happen, we can only hope that is the case. But this would result in a lot more helo activity at the VP residence and is likely what we are seeing.
If there was some sort of transfer of power, this wouldn't necessarily be an indicator, although anything is possible at this time.

I hope that helps!
Also, HMX-1 is actually based out of Quantico, Virginia, some 30 miles south of the WH. Just to make it clear the difference in access and staging between the two sites.

[A HERETIC I AM]

17. Or just training.

New pilots will be flying those aircraft for Biden. Landing them on those three little red circles they lay out on the south lawn takes practice. I had the chance to speak with a Marine who worked in HMX-1 and was told that they practice all the time, and do practice landings at the White House when the president is not there. They also have a forward base in Anacostia, about 3 miles from the White House that has a mockup of the landing zone at the White House.

You can see that here;
https://goo.gl/maps/xEz4QEP8aLpr77PB9

Since these were spotted flying over the Naval Observatory (Where the VP’s residence is) it can be assumed they were running approaches and/or actual landings just in case they had to put down there in the coming days.