Bird Strike Grounds Air Force Two in Santa Barbara
Vice President Joe Biden Attended Campaign Fundraiser at Undisclosed Location
The modified Boeing 757 plane that shuttles Vice President Joe Biden around the country and the world was stuck on a Santa Barbara Airport tarmac Friday after it hit a bird during landing.
Air Force Two touched down without further incident Thursday night, said airport officials, but mechanics could be seen working on one of the plane’s engines for much of the day Friday.
Biden arrived in town to attend a campaign fundraiser hosted by Nancy Koppelman, a member of the president’s National Finance Committee. Attendees reportedly paid $2,500 to rub elbows with the VP, and the event was held at an undisclosed location. Based on the heavy traffic of area law enforcement personnel and Secret Service agents, it appears Biden may have been whisked inside the gated community at the end of Eucalyptus Lane in Montecito.
Biden took off on a different government plane Friday afternoon. According to military protocol, it assumed the call sign Air Force Two.
