FlightSource - Aviation Photo Database

Description:

This is the aircraft that President Bush flew in on 1 May 2003, US President George W. Bush flew in the co-pilot seat of from NAS North Island, California to USS Abraham Lincoln off the California coast. There, he delivered his "Mission Accomplished" speech announcing the end of major combat in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. During the flight, the aircraft used the customary presidential callsign of "Navy One".
It is now on display at National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida.

The Lockheed S-3 Viking is a four seat jet aircraft that was used by the United States Navy to identify, track, and destroy enemy submarines. In the late 1990s, the S-3B's mission focus shifted to surface warfare and aerial refueling. The Viking also provided electronic warfare and surface surveillance capabilities to the carrier battle group. A carrier-based, subsonic, all-weather, multi-mission aircraft with long range, it carried automated weapon systems, and was capable of extended missions with in-flight refueling. Because of the enginesâ€™ low-pitched sound, it was nicknamed the "Hoover" after the vacuum cleaner brand.

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