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Imagine my shock when I received an emailed video today which appeared to show vandals on a nighttime prank, breaching security at Andrews Air Force Base, scaling a tall, barbed-wire chain-link fence then spray-painting graffiti on the President's plane, Air Force One!
At first glance, even second and third, the video appeared absolutely legit. As someone who's flown into and out of Andrews hundreds of times over the past 20 years, often on Air Force One, the video seemed rich with precise details. It showed the massive hanger which houses both VC-25's, the military's designation for the two 747's which fly the President, the security patrol vehicles, even shots of the vandals running across a golf course. Andrews has three golf courses at one end of the runways.
But with all the elaborate security surrounding the President's planes, how could this have happened? The simple answer, according to the Air Force, it can't.
"It's all a hoax," according to Lt. Col. Bruce Alexander, head of public affairs at Andrews. "There's no way this could have happened. It didn't happen." Alexander and others point out several glaring discrepancies in the video. The vandals only had to scale one fence adjacent to the "Air Force One" on the tape, when the planes are actually protected by double-fencing at Andrews. The real Air Force Ones have an array of a half-dozen antennas on the top of the fuselage; the video version had only two. The plane on the video also had a weather-worn dull finish, not the high-gloss of the real Air Force Ones which are washed and spit-polished almost daily. Alexander also insists no one could have as easily penetrated the several layers of security that surround the planes at the Air Force base.
Despite all that, the video does appear to include at least one actual shot of Air Force One at Andrews. Lt. Col. Alexander concedes that the long-distance shot of the plane next to that massive hanger appears to be real. But Alexander insists, "It does not validate the rest of the video."
Even the makers of the video admit now it's all part of an elaborate hoax to promote all forms of freedom of expression, including graffiti. What's disturbing to me is when Air Force officials first told me it was a hoax I didn’t believe them, which may say more about the current state of military-media relations then the realistic-appearing video itself.
By the way, you can see the video for yourself at www.Stillfree.com. I'll take a pass however, because the more I watch it, the more real it gets.
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Distracted drivers
It's a hoax. Andrews' security was never what it should have been when I was there (pre-9/11, mind you), but security around the AF1 hangers was always tight. I do not believe anyone, then or now, could have pulled this off, not without leaving in a bag at least.
Sean (Sent Jun 9, 2006 4:10:58 AM)
I can't believe how many idiots are out there. People who know nothing about the military just want to through their two cents in. I am in the Air Force and if you still believe this was real you need to get your head examined. This has nothing to do with the current state of the military-media relations. It has to do with the morons in the media and their inability to research something before the open their fat liberal mouths. So, in conclusion if you know nothing about the military, shut up and if you are in the media pull your head out.
J. Gietzen, Abq, NM (Sent Jun 9, 2006 2:03:47 AM)
Oh yeah, and notice that the pic of the hoax has a white strip between the blue and gold strip, the real picture does not. Also if you look closely at the lettering of UNITED STATES, they are spaced differently on each aircraft.
Nick, AndrewsAFB, MD (Sent May 3, 2006 3:49:32 PM)
Ok people,I am currently in the air force and i am stationed at andrews. This HAS to be a hoax because i've been around the SENEX hanger that houses the VC25's. The level of security around that building is probably only rivaled by that of the white house. The system is so sensitive that a mouse crawling anywhere close to the fence it could set it off, much less 2 guys climbing it. Also there are doubling fencing too, and the guys only climbed one. If you look at the msnbc.com shot of the real AF1 and the hoax there are several differences. There are no window covers on the hoax, there are less antennas, and believe me they really do actually "spit shine" those planes and the hoax one is dull. Come on people, if this was real, there would have been pandamodium on Andrews, and there would be rumors swirlling...... THERE HASN"T BEEN. This guys has a ton of money, so he made a stunningly real video, but overlooked some things. Besides why would Marc Ecko sacrifice whats he's done in life, had this been real and had he been caught sneaking around..... he would get way more then a few years in prison.
This was clever, but impossible. PERIOD!!!!
(Sent May 3, 2006 3:46:09 PM)
Y'all have too much time on your hands if you're watching emailed videos and debating whether or not something is a hoax. As for Jim's initial reaction to the military statement - that's just good journalism. Too bad the media didn't use that healthy skepticism a few years ago. . .
(Sent Apr 24, 2006 8:44:23 AM)
Mark Ecko, who was responsible for this hoax, is too savvy a business man to actually do something like this. I thought of the Air Force's obvious denial also but in this case it was just a very expensive prank.
Jose Alberdi, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Apr 23, 2006 8:00:53 PM)
I served in the Air Force for many years and I've stood guard and work with the security forces on Air Force one. I'm confident that this is a hoax. I stand behind this nation and our elected officials even though I often disagree with the current administrations. I think that this administration will make enough mistakes that this one does not need to be added to prove thier ....,
Reginald Blakely (Sent Apr 23, 2006 2:38:48 PM)
If this isn't real its one hell of a fake. I think it's an interesting idea for a hoax. I like the discussion it brings up. Questioning reality is like questioning authority and we shouold all be forced to think critically about the information given to us from time to time. i applaud this stunt whether it happened or not. If it did, it's pointing out security flaws that need to be immediately addressed. if it didn't, it beginning a much needed dialogue about both freedom of speech and the national culture of distrust.
Dewey, Fayetteville NC (Sent Apr 23, 2006 11:28:14 AM)
i am not sure whether its real or not. i could definitely see the government trying to save face but i can also see the merit in Mr.Ecko pulling an alaborate hoax. its entertainment at its best. i have never even seen an Ecko store but i think he may be one of America's new bread of marketing geniuses. i'm looking forward to what happens next... the white house? House party and Camp David?
Joby, Ohio. (Sent Apr 23, 2006 11:13:35 AM)
What moron in the Air Force even thought for a second that this was real? They should know that AF One does not have that many side windows for security reasons.
If anything, this shows how utterly incompetent our military can be at times.
CW, Seattle, WA (Sent Apr 22, 2006 4:42:44 PM)
So what kind of message is this sending to people who *won't* take the time to read www.stillfree.com ?
(Sent Apr 22, 2006 6:01:26 AM)
Why don't people believe this can be a hoax? It was just a couple of people making a short film to stir up controversy and questions. Hey CHAD, why can't you trust anyone and just accept that is was all just a joke, hoax, etc.
S. Morrison, Pioneer, CA (Sent Apr 22, 2006 4:19:28 AM)
I thought it kind of suprising that it could even happen even if it did in the first place. And if they did or could what would you write on the current presidents plane. I would write "man everyone hates you Bush, and you need to leave the white house sooner than expected" or i could write "you suck, leave now or something could happen?"
Adam Anderson (Sent Apr 22, 2006 1:11:41 AM)
Spiderman doesnt exit Don but neocon fascists do and that is more scary.
(Sent Apr 21, 2006 8:31:17 PM)
In case you haven't figured it out yet...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12425846/
It is a hoax
Yarnetskopfy, McLean, VA (Sent Apr 21, 2006 6:46:49 PM)
What is both curious and disconcerting is the length gone to aggrandize such a possible hoax if this were one. Indeed, "Mig" should be upset as we all should be if the very concept of breaching the security of AIRFORCEONE comes into play. I am not a fan of W. and I believe that his policies have been disastrous. But I do not condone the apparent undermining of the president's security be it a hoax or worse. So, it is understandable that this supposed hoax raises many concerns, the least should be the accessibility of AIRFORCEONE to possible saboteurs let alone hoaxers in general. W. is not a Harrison Ford, he is not a Tom Cruise, and he definitely is not a Michael Douglas, but his safety should not be in question. Like it or not we have this man an additional to to three years(unless legal means for his departure can be assessed and instituted appropriately) and his safety is our concern.AIRFORCEONE is a symbol of the president and our country even if W. doesn't see the depth of his shortcomings we should see ours should the penetration to AIRFORCEONE be provided!
Dave Van Grun (Sent Apr 20, 2006 2:41:35 PM)
I'm quite certain the video is real. Of course the AF is going to deny it and the head of public affairs may actually believe it is a hoax. Chances are this was covered up at a much lower level to prevent heads from rolling. "The Vandals" are only saying its a hoax in the small print to protect themselves if it comes down to legal action. But of course that won't happen because the AF would have to admit it happened before they could legally do anything.
Joe, Livonia, Michigan (Sent Apr 20, 2006 1:23:17 PM)
IF THE AIR FORCE SAYS THAT ITS A HOAX, THEN WHY CANT' JIM BELEIVE IT. LOOK AT THE THINGS WE CAN DO WITH COMPUTERS AND SUCH. I THINK JIM IS JUST LOOKING FOR SOMETHING. I COULD SAY WHERES THE TRUST. BUT NO ONE TRUST ANY ONE THESE DAYS. WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SCREW UP. COME WE ARE ALL HUMAN AND WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES.
DORA ATHENS OHIO (Sent Apr 20, 2006 11:36:47 AM)
Although this aircraft is not a VC-25A / Tail number: 28000 - 29000 i.e.: one of the two "Air Force One's", IT IS an actual aircraft. The aircraft in the video lacks certain aerials for a VC-25A, but it is painted exactly like one.
A 'decoy' aircraft is a possibility.
Given the qualities of the video, I would bet the event actually happened... and someone got relieved for it.
Hoax? Not likely. Andrews AFB security is saving face.
Chad Sanders, Jacksonville, NC (Sent Apr 19, 2006 8:32:00 PM)
Even if this is not Air Force One these people were apparently able to get to an AF plane somewhere. This should have people worried enough if you ask me.
(Sent Apr 19, 2006 8:28:19 PM)
thanks for the info. this one has been circulating the past couple days.
Andy, DeKalb, Il (Sent Apr 19, 2006 8:11:01 PM)
"when Air Force officials first told me it was a hoax I didn’t believe them, which may say more about the current state of military-media relations" ... so what else is new? The media never believe the military anyway.
Andrew, Alexandria VA (Sent Apr 19, 2006 7:24:31 PM)
I think this may so more about Jim that anything. I hope he doesn't believe that Spiderman is real too.
Don, Mississippi (Sent Apr 19, 2006 7:08:03 PM)
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