US State Visit

[Jamie]

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
Security Classification: TOP SECRET

With just under a week until the planned state visit of the US President into the United Kingdom, preparations had already begun to ensure everything was in place as required. The visit begins with the arrival at RAF Brize Norton; home of No. II Squadron RAF Regiment, with three companies operational on the day. Their duties would consist of armed patrols around the perimeter fencing, manning security booths and investigating potential breaches. This was their usual role but the stakes much higher given the guest they were due to receive. For now, however, it was about briefings and drills. They'd work alongside other personnel within the RAF who operate from Brize Norton and potentially more importantly, the 20th Operational Fire Service. For the next few days, regular inspections, exercises and briefings were to take place to cover the entire event. The same process was also taking place at RAF Coningsby, home of the Typhoon. Although the Typhoons remained on Quick Reaction Alert duties, a presidential visit was planned which prompted the need for security to be in top condition.

Daily security meetings were taking place in the build up to the event that consisted of the chiefs of the Royal Air Force, MI5, local police services from the respective destinations and senior cabinet officials. In agreement, they'd be additional police officers deployed across the assigned destinations which will include significant numbers of armed response personnel available to respond in the event of any problems. Across The Mall and around Buckingham Palace, US Flags begun to get erected in preparation and the Coldstream Guards begun their drills to ensure they were ready for the welcome ceremony in which they'd be the guard on duty. MI5 were paying special attention to any developments within their networks in London and other areas of the UK to aim to detect and deter any risks in conjunction with the Met Police.

Ahead of the 1st February, a memo was privately sent to the US Government to advise that any equipment, vehicles, etc, can be deployed to RAF Brize Norton at their convenience. Odinson

 

[Odinson]

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Private​

The Special Relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is the most important alliance in the Anglosphere, and the most important geopolitical relationship between the United States and any other country in the world. Both Presidents Clinton and Gore enjoyed a strong and healthy relationship with the British Government which has proved to not just be an important political and economic alliance, but a strategic military one for both the United States and the United Kingdom. The only government on Earth that the United States trusts, without hesitation or worry of deceit, is the British Government. No matter where Americans are, or what kind of danger they are in, they know that their next best bet for safety and sanctuary is a British Embassy or representatives of Her Majesty's Government - and this is reciprocated to British Subjects.

President Gore had a closer personal relationship with former Prime Minister Andrew Evans than he has had with any other national leader - perhaps that is why their administrations worked so well together. Now President Gore, who is on his final twelve months of office, is travelling to the United Kingdom to keep the foundation of the Special Relationship solid and to set up the next President for success. While there is so much in the world to be hopeless about, the British still offer hope to the American government that the United States can have allies and friends outside of North America and that the Old World is still worth preserving and protecting.

Air Force One arrived at RAF Brize Norton at approximately 9:00 AM on the designated day. Once Air Force One taxied in place and the staircase was put in place next to the aircraft, individuals began deplaning. Secret Service and military officials departed first, followed by members of the press and other civilians, and then the first family. Finally, the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy Secretary of State, and then the President himself would come out onto the staircase and deplane onto the tarmac. The President would briefly meet with Secret Service to discuss the security strategy for today, as well as how the President would be transported. He was reminded that the formal British welcome would be at Buckingham Palace. The President boarded Marine One, along with the First Family, while the Deputy Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense took Marine Two to Buckingham Palace. They would land at the designated location and time, according to the British after the helicopters were fueled and the preflight checks were done. Close coordination was done with the RAF and other British military and security officials to ensure that the trip from RAF Brize Norton to Buckingham Palace went without incident.​

Jamie​

 

[Jamie]

RAF Brize Norton was rather enthusiastic to receive their guest, all staff formally dressed and security on high alert with spectators trying to get their glimpse of Air Force Ones arrival. From the sky, it would be quite easy to note how busy of an airbase Brize was. It remained the home of all the heavy aircraft so the lineup visible on approach ranged from C-130J-30s, C-17 Globemasters and the Lockheed Martin TriStar refuellers. From the arrival into Brize, a quick transition to Marine One took place to minimize time on the ground and allow the President a speedy departure to meet the formal welcome at Buckingham Palace. A designated landing spot confirmed prior to arrival which would be held in the gardens.

Once the helicopter was in sight, the President would set eyes onto the waiting troops from the Grenadier Guards. In total, around 600 soldiers from 1 GREN GDS Battalion, organised by company and dressed in formal attire. The iconic bearskins in all their glory. A large line between the doors of Buckingham Palace and the designated landing spot remained available, to which HM The Queen would wait until the landing of the helicopter as a precaution before stepping out of the Palace to meet the President, his family and following Secretaries. Timings immaculate as always, the moment the President was due to step out of the helicopter, the roaring engines of the Red Arrows Aerobatic Team soared overhead. Red, White and Blue smoke trails behind as they signified the opening of the state visit. Once the noise of the engines had passed and the President in close proximity, the Queen spoke with a soft smile "Good Morning, it's a pleasure to see you. How was the flight?" she asked with genuiness. Only once she received a response, would she carry on speaking and invite the US President to inspect the Royal Guards that stood in tight formation behind her.

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Odinson

 

[Odinson]

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Private​

Marine One, Two, and Three flew from RAF Brize Norton to London where they carefully followed the planned flightpath and directions from the RAF to arrive safely at Buckingham Palace. Marine One landed in the foreground, in its designated location. After approximately thirty seconds, the blades to the helicopter slowed down as the engines lowered their roar and eventually turned off. The two sets of stairs from the helicopter were lowered. A Marine in full dress uniform stepped out and stood at attention at the foot of the steps. Some of the President's closest advisors came out first, followed by some Secret Service. Next, the President's family came out: Mary Elizabeth "Tipper" Gore (his wife) and their four children. A couple more Secret Service agents stepped out, followed by President Gore.

Gore was dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and a dark, navy blue tie. On the lapel of his suit was a small American flag lapel pen with a small gold lining around it. His hair was neatly combed and his black shoes had been freshly shined. The President returned a sharp salute to the Marine at the bottom of the staircase just as the Red Arrows passed overhead. He looked up for a few moments and silently pondered to himself why the Blue Angels didn't use different colors of smoke for formal occasions - it looked really nice.

He then stepped forward to where he met the Queen. "It was as wonderful as flights can be," President Gore said in response. "It's very nice to see you again, Your Majesty."

American Presidents had a tendency to break unknown royal protocols when visiting the United Kingdom, but so far he had managed to do quite well during his presidency (as far as he knew) and he was determined to make sure that his last official visit to the United Kingdom would not be marred by a small mishap like that. The President walked alongside the Queen, making sure to not leave her behind as they inspected the Royal Guards. Al thought about if the founding fathers ever imagined that the 43rd President of the United States - or any President - would be inspecting an honor guard of redcoats with the monarch. It was surreal to think that while the United Kingdom had a solid history that went back to the Romans, and a mythical one that existed before then, Americans had built their entire identity so far on just 384 years of history.

"Those uniforms are unforgettable," the President remarked admirably as they walked past the assembled men.​

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

Sounds of the three helicopters caused enough noise throughout the streets to garner much attention, tourists and residents alike looking up between the high-rising buildings to the sight of the US helicopters flying overhead. Their approach to Buckingham Palace gave a sight to The Mall, covered in UK and US flags side by side before their safe landing onto the lawn where the Red Arrows made their debut. The Queen passed a gentle nod in response to Gores response to her before the pair made their walk in front of the troops; guided by Her Majesty who allowed the President time to inspect a couple of rows. "They were suggestions, some time ago, to have some new uniforms for the guards. I shut that down quickly." she chuckled, indicating her own fondness for the historical uniforms. Each soldier they passed presented a crisp attire, their posture solid and a credit to the United Kingdom.

During that a time, a courtier approached the Presidents Advisors and Family and introduced himself. Although they were not part of the inspection, he was there to answer any questions and generally give a bit of a story to the significance of the inspection, some facts about the traditional uniforms and generally to entertain the guests throughout. He'd also highlighted himself as the point of contact if they needed anything during their stay and once the inspection was complete, he would show them to their rooms.

As the pair made their way to the end of the final line where the inspection of the guard would end, and despite been fully away of the itinerary, she wanted to vocalize her invitation for the afternoon "I shall have you and your family checked into the guest accommodation here and once you are settled, perhaps you could join me for a walk through St Jame's Park?" she asked, more as a gesture of her interest rather than it just been on a schedule. Once concluded, the President would be introduced to the courtier who awaited by his family and providing they were all ready, he'd be sure to provide them a tour around the Palace before directing the advisors and President with his family to their rooms. Should that happen, it would allow the Queen to go for a tea and to get herself ready for the afternoon walk. Odinson

 

[Odinson]

Private​

"A walk through Saint James's Park would be wonderful, ma'am. I will be looking forward to it," he said, genuinely. President Gore and his family, as well as some of his highest-ranking advisors, enjoyed the tour through the Palace. One of his favorite things to do on slow days at the White House was to crash tour groups and meet a handful of average Americans who had to wait hours and hours to make it through security. He imagined that the royals probably never did that, so he kept that thought to himself.

The President and the First Family checked into their accommodations in the old and ornate palace. Some time went by as the Gore family unpacked their clothes and made use of some of the closets and storage space in the rooms. Unless some other arrangements had been made, the President would await word that the Queen was ready for the walk through St. James's park. Once word came through to the Secret Service that the Queen was ready, two of the protective officers in their dark suits would escort the President to the meeting place with the Queen.

The use of walks in green places was a criminally underutilized diplomatic tactic, and very underrated. Drab meeting rooms with crinkly old men who couldn't walk 500 feet let alone half a mile was getting old for the President who had been doing it for the better part of two presidential terms now. He finally was able to understand why the Vice President valued his lighthouse in Maine so much. The President was still dressed as before. Since he had been shot, he still gets some occasional back pain but he is, other than that, healthy. He brought a black umbrella with him which could double as a walking cane just in case he needed it. Two Secret Service agents would follow in the distance to give the President and the Queen plenty of room to be able to talk in private.

Jamie
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[Jamie]

"Delightful" responded the Queen who at this point, departed ways with the President who had the opportunity for a tour and his introduction to the accommodation for the duration of his and his families stay. Around an hour later, ample time for the President to unpack, there were a couple knocks on the door, a courtier on the opposing side ready to speak. If the door was opened, a formally dressed man stood there at attention "Sir, the Queen is ready for your walk through Saint James's Park if you are ready. I can take you to Her Majesty."

Failing to be ready, the Courtier would simply wait until the time came for him to escort the President to another part of the palace where the Queen stood. Dressed in a yellow, floral dress, she stood patiently. Accustomed to President Gore been punctual, she'd certainly be surprised if she was waiting long before the pair could enter an awaiting vehicle to cross from Buckingham Palace to the park itself. Despite it only been a couple minute walk, the security concerns prompted the need to be driven across. Something the Queen evidently opposed and was quick to point this out to the visiting President.

Earlier, once confirmed that the pair would walk the park, arrangements had begun to be made. By this point, much of the park was closed and gates shut for security reasons. Members of the Diplomatic Protection Group patrolled the fence lines and although the President and Queen would be granted privacy for their walk, not unlike the secret service, armed diplomatic officers remained nearby but in the shadows. The gate to the park would only open for the Queens vehicle to enter, shutting behind them. The pair could then get out and proceed; knowing security was close by.

Slowly the Queen left the comforts of the vehicle, pausing to wait for the President to get out before the pair could begin their slow walk around the park. A few moments in, she stopped and indicated to the bottom of a tree. "Look, two Robins" she pointed out, almost without a second thought. "There's a couple wildlife sanctuaries around here, they provide a great nesting site for them... do you get to wonder around parks normally? Or do they not permit a motorcade?" she jested. The rest of the walk, she'd be happy to point out what wildlife she could see, or her favourite parts of the park. Although here on business, a simple walk felt enough to build up some relation and just spend time with the US President. Ensuring to give him opportunity to raise any other topics of interest besides birds. Odinson