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President Barack Obama Lands at the 171st Air Refueling Wing

  • Published
  • By Airman Allyson Manners
  • 171st Air Refueling Wing
Coraopolis, Pa. --  The President of the United States, Barack Obama, landed here in Air Force One at approximately 12:15p.m. today before traveling to the U.S. Steel plant in West Mifflin, near Pittsburgh, to deliver a speech as part of a two-day tour used to promote his proposals given during his State of the Union address.

Despite subzero temperatures and a strict schedule, Obama took a moment to speak to the wing commander, Colonel Ted E. Metzgar, before climbing aboard Marine One.

The president then flew to Allegheny County Airport, escorted by three MV-22 Osprey aircraft and a VH-60N Sea King helicopter.

"Our flight line was more conducive to the needs that needed to be met- that was my understanding of why he came to us today," said Metzgar, when asked how the 171st was chosen as the landing site for Air Force One. "The security of the president and the flow of the operation to get him from point A to point B is the overriding factor."

Obama returned here by Marine One before departing aboard Air Force One at approximately 3:30 p.m. Obama was accompanied by Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, and Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills.