United States | 2006 Australian Official Visit

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The United States Chief of Protocol, Mary Applegale, was in constant and regular communication with the Prime Minister Julia Gillard's office as the date of the Prime Minister's official visit to the United States approached. In Washington D.C., significant security arrangements were made to ensure that Prime Minister and the President would not have any concerns while she was in town. The Secret Service, the Diplomatic Security Service, and the FBI were all coordinating with a special task force to coordinate the movements of the Prime Minister and her entourage while they were in the United States. Special considerations were put in place for the currently planned schedule that had been submitted by the Chief of Protocol.

The Australian Department of Defense was securely sent a plane route through American airspace to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland where her aircraft could land and be received. If it was needed, the Prime Minister's aircraft could refuel at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam, at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, at Edwards Air Force Base in California, and Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas. All of the flight routes would, in particular, avoid restricted areas in Nevada including Groom Lake. Waiting at Andrews was the Chief of Protocol herself along with several other leaders and officials who were eager to meet the Australian Prime Minister.​

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At RAAF Base Fairbairn, a No. 34 Squadron Boeing 737-700 BBJ would be prepared for the Prime Minister's journey to Washington D.C. Air Force maintenance crew would check over the aircraft and fuel it up. The pilots and the flight attendants would go over their flight plans, itineraries and would prepare the aircraft with its catering supplies. As the aircraft only had a range of 11,000km, the flight would fly from Canberra up to Hickham Air Force Base in Hawaii where it would refuel, a distance of 8,400km. It would then fly across to the continental United States, eventually arriving at Andrews Air Force Base, a total distance of 16,200km. The aircraft would use the callsign "ENVOY01".

The Prime Minister would prepare her suitcases with personal belongings and so would her staff. Joining her on this official visit would be the Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner along with other Washington-based staff such as the Ambassador to the United States, Kim Beazley, the Liaison Officer to the Chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, Commodore Allison Norris and the Head of Australian Defence Staff in Washington, D.C., Air Vice Marshal Alan Clements. Four members of the Prime Minister's protection team within the Australian Federal Police would also join her, armed with sidearms. They would be joined later by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd, who was currently in Ottawa and wrapping up his meetings there.

The Prime Ministerial Limousine "Commonwealth 1" would take the Prime Minister from her residence The Lodge in Canberra and would head off to RAAF Base Fairbairn in the early morning flanked by Australian Federal Police motorcycles and cars. Media would be present along the route and at the airport for this occassion. She would meet the Minister for Defence there along with the staff from the Prime Minister's Office and other Departments joining her. A delegation of the major Australian media outlets would also join the Prime Minister in her aircraft. They would board the aircraft through the VIP Terminal at RAAF Base Fairbairn. Once they were all prepared and settled, the aircraft would begin its taxi to the runway and would get priority for take off from all the normal commercial aircraft using Canberra Airport. It would take off in a northerly direction, heading off in a north-east heading, flying directly over Sydney as it was climbing to its cruising altitude before heading off over the Pacific Ocean. It would fly over New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tuvalu and Kiribati airspace before eventually entering U.S. airspace near Baker Island and Howland Island.

It would make its short stop at Hickham Air Force Base in Hawaii in order to refuel. All personnel would remain on the aircraft and there would be a quick turnaround before it took off again heading eastwards towards the continental United States. It would enter continental United States airspace just south of San Francisco/San Jose. Flying over California and then into Nevada where it would fly just north of restricted airspace at "Lake Groom", directly over the town of Tonopah. It would then fly over Utah, Colorado (directly over Denver), Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, flying directly over Champaign, Indianapolis and Dayton before eventually flying over the Appalachians and into the Capital Region's airspace.

As they flew over Dayton the Prime Minister would remark "this is where Kristina went to University!". Kristina Keneally, the current Premier of New South Wales was an alumni of the University of Dayton.

Budding aviation enthusiasts would be able to take advantage of spotting a Royal Australian Air Force jet flying over their towns and cities. It would come into Andrews Air Force Base from the south, avoiding highly restricted Washington D.C. airspace. Once cleared, it would touch down at the airport. It would follow tower instructions to taxi to its designated area.

The Governor-General would appoint the Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer, Wayne Swan, as Acting Prime Minister by convention.

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Exceptional measures were taken to ensure the security of ENVOY01 as it flew through American national airspace. A military escort was not necessary, nevertheless, civilian and military air traffic were regularly redirected to ensure the Australian aircraft did not have any airborne disturbances to worry about for at least a ten-mile radius. All air traffic at Andrews was grounded or redirected so it did not intervene with the arrival of ENVOY01. The aircraft was directed by Air Force Air Traffic Control to take the appropriate heading to land at the appropriate runway at the appropriate speed.

The Secret Service and the Air Force were out in force at Andrews. ENVOY01 was directed on what runway it should land on and was given the correct heading along with windspeed and other minor weather conditions. Once the aircraft touched down, it would be directed to taxi to a specific location where a red carpet, honor guard, and diplomatic welcoming committee were waiting. A staircase was rolled up to the Prime Minister's aircraft so that Ms. Gillard and the rest of the Australian delegation could descend down to the Earth. When the Prime Minister would depart the aircraft, she would see the red carpet rolled out at the base of the staircase which led past a military honor guard and to a small fleet of vehicles that were waiting to take her and the most important members of his delegation to the White House. Soldiers, sailors, and airmen from the honor guards of all the branches of the armed forces were present, totaling in 19 servicemen since the Prime Minister was a de facto Head of Government and not State (which would justify 21 servicemen).

Once she made it to the bottom of the staircase the Chief of Protocol was first in line. She shook the hand of the Prime Minister and said, "Madam Prime Minister, I'm Mary Applegale, the Chief of Protocol. Welcome to the United States - I'll walk along with you here," she said. A young girl from a local elementary school in Washington D.C. was waiting at the bottom of the staircase with a small bouquet of flowers for the Prime Minister, which she handed to her. Mary then acted as a kind of guide as they made their way down the ceremonial red carpet.

Mary introduced the Prime Minister to the commanding general of Andrews Air Force Base, the American ambassador to Australia, the Governor of Maryland (the State which they were presently standing in), and a few other dignitaries from the federal government who were excited to play a small part in the first visit of a foreign leader to the United States. All the while the U.S. Air Force band played "Arrival Fanfare Number One." American and Australian journalists, who had been pre-selected based on having clean backgrounds, were allowed onto the tarmac so that they could take pictures and film the event. Mary escorted the Australians through the military honor guard, and finally to the vehicles that were waiting for them. Each of them were driven by armed members of the Secret Service.

The Australian Federal Police officers would be permitted to keep their weapons after the serial numbers were recorded by the Secret Service. However, they were reminded that they would not be able to have their sidearms when they would be on White House grounds - even if they would be staying at the nearby Blair House - and that there would be other restrictions. The motorcade made its way from Andrews to the White House and the most direct and safe way possible. Roads were closed off and an escort was provided by local police, ranging from the Maryland State Police to the D.C. police.

Public​

Now it was time for the "Salutatory" portion of the ceremony. President Sinclair stepped up to the podium, which had the seal of the President, and briefly cleared his throat. "Prime Minister, I would like to welcome you to the United States and the White House, along with the rest of your delegation," he said into the microphone.

Some guests were standing on the South Lawn, and included congressmen, some of their families, and the families of other high officials and diplomats who wanted to help welcome the Australians.

"It is a true honor to host a critical ally to the United States here at the White House. The close relationship between the United States and Australia is essential and necessary. We share so much in common, including our firm belief in the protection of liberty, common law, and democracy. Recently we have formalized our informal relationship into a more formal relationship, and I think that it is clear that the United State and Australia stand as friends and allies through and through, and that we will defend each other no matter the cost. While we are two very different nations, we are fortunate to enjoy many similarities, as well as a shared history and friendship. I look forward to moving our relationship forward, and maybe we can even fit in a couple of hours to shoot some clay pigeons," he said, which got a bit of laughter form the crowd. "But really, welcome, Prime Minister I'm happy that we are able to host you here," he said as he stepped back from the podium.

It was now the Prime Minister's turn to give a few words. After this, they would be able to finally go inside the White House.

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The Prime Minister would make her way down the stairs with Ambassador Beazley by her side. He had flown back to Australia prior in order to brief the Prime Minister and accompany her to the United States. The Ambassador would walk by her side as she kept walking through. Behind them would be the delegation, the Minister for Defence and the Prime Minister's partner, Tim Mathieson. They would make their way into the vehicles and head off. The AFP officers would position themselves at Blair House rather than the White House to make sure the premises were secure.

The Prime Minister and Mr. Mathieson would meet and greet the President and First Lady at the White House before the ceremonies got underway. They would take their seats on the South Lawn of the White House.

They would applaud the President's speech before the President invited the Prime Minister to the podium. She would go up to the podium and would shake the President's hand at the podium before taking it.

"Thank you very much President Sinclair,

It is an honour and a privilege to be standing here in one of the great hearts of democracy in the world.... Washington D.C. Along with London we regard this as one of the most important capital cities in the world to Australia. Many see Australia as the product of what happens if you combine the United Kingdom and the United States. Indeed, our system of government is sometimes colloquially referred to as the "Washminster" system, a Westminster-style parliament with a House of Representatives and a Senate. Just like the United States, we are a nation built on immigrants, a success story of growing nothing into something extraordinary.... a place with wide open frontiers and cosmopolitan cities, of productive farmland and citizens who aspire to achieve a "dream", whether the American dream or the Australian dream. But we still speak a bit funny, put the letter "u" in colour, where cookies are biscuits and biscuits are scones and we still swear allegiance to Her Majesty The Queen. And of course, that flag is still inside ours." She would point to the Australian flag behind her, allowing for the audience to laugh.

"I guess you could call ours the stars and stripes too....

But of course, we are more than just similarities. The alliance between Australia and the United States goes deeper, than any other.... probably second to New Zealand. My predecessor, John Curtin, who still outranks me in terms of highest election results for a Labor Prime Minister. Don't worry John... I'll get you one day." She would let them laugh again.

"Prime Minister Curtin famously uttered the words: "The Australian Government, therefore regards the Pacific struggle as primarily one in which the United States and Australia must have the fullest say in the direction of the Democracies' fighting plan. Without any inhibitions of any kind, I make it clear that Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom." Those words still resonate clearly today. Australia is a massive continent in the Indo-Pacific region and the United States has many outposts within the region. Together we form a formidable alliance in the Indo-Pacific, but indeed all around the world. Australians have fought with Americans in every war since the First World War, which no other nation can claim they have done. We face many challenges in the world, but together we can front those challenges and most importantly... overcome them.

We formulate this relationship, not just for ourselves and our current governments, but for successive governments and for our people. Australians have a deep fondness of Americans and Americans have a deep fondness of Australians. I know this from watching the outpouring of love that many Americans have towards the now Governor of Queensland, His Excellency Steve Irwin, for his work in animal conservation and I think... the fact that he found himself with an American wife." She would let them laugh.

"I know this because the current Premier of New South Wales, Kristina Keneally, made the decision at 30 years old to move from the United States to Australia and now occupies the highest echelons of power in the largest state in the federation. She serves the people of New South Wales with the utmost dedication and service, displaying this during the recent riots in Cronulla where she reinforced what Australian values were and what it meant to be Australian. If that is not commitment to Australia, I don't know what is.

Mr. President, together lets champion the cause of democracy, freedom and peace throughout the world. I thank you for hosting me."

With that she would exit off the podium. She would approach the President, exchanging a few words and embraces before leading them inside the White House.

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