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President Obama arrives on Tyndall, visits Panama City Beach

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kirsten Wicker
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  As part of a family vacation to Panama City Beach, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, along with one of their daughters, Sasha, arrived on Tyndall AFB Aug. 14 in Air Force One.

The first family was on a short vacation to visit the area and meet with local leaders, business owners and military members. Tyndall Airmen had an opportunity to see the arrival of Air Force One and shake the president's hand.

"I was actually near the end of the line with my wife and our kids where all the Airmen were standing," said Master Sgt. Ronald Killen, Airey Noncommissioned Officer Academy instructor. "He thanked all of us for our service, shook our hands and said he was glad to be here.

"The first lady and Sasha also shook hands with us," he added. "It was awesome."

The visit was also intended to demonstrate to the American public that the Gulf Coast continues to recover from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and that it remains a place where visitors can still enjoy a vacation.

"[The] beaches all along the Gulf Coast are clean, they are safe, and they are open for business," President Obama said. "That's one of the reasons Michelle, Sasha and I are here."

After arriving on Tyndall, President Obama and Mrs. Obama joined local business owners, Lee Ann Leonard, hotel manager, Navy Capt. Gary Jarvis, charter boat captain and Carolyn Holman, restaurant owner, for a roundtable discussion of the impact of the oil spill on the local economy at Coast Guard Station Panama City. Also included in the discussion was Charlie Crist, Florida governor, Scott Clemons, Panama City mayor, Gayle Oberst, Panama City Beach mayor, and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.

"My job is to make sure that we live up to this responsibility: that we keep up our efforts until the environment is cleaned up, polluters are held accountable, businesses and communities are made whole, and members of the coast are back on their feet," President Obama said.

The President said the spill is the worst natural disaster America has faced, and detailed the difficult technological task of capping the well. He said he would dedicate most of his time here to listening, and at the end of the roundtable discussion he said he had learned firsthand how the oil spill had crippled the local economy.

"... I have charged Ray Mabus ... to develop a long term Gulf Coast restoration plan as soon as possible. That plan needs to come from the people in the Gulf which is why he's been meeting with folks from across the region to develop this plan of action," President Obama said. "That's how we can make sure that we do everything in our power to restore the environment and reverse the economic damage caused by the spill."

The President highlighted three steps he intends to see through to the region's recovery. First, he said the water and beaches must be cleaned.

"The majority of the oil has evaporated, been dispersed, skimmed or burned off by cleanup crews, scientists are reporting," President Obama said.

Second, he said the local economy must be returned to its original condition by rebuilding the public perception and by reopening fishing waters so fishermen can continue working.

President Obama said ensuring the people affected by the oil spill are compensated for their hardship and that BP is held accountable is the critical third step.

He said he will continue to lobby for the quick delivery of aid to those who are in need.

"Any delay by BP or the people overseeing these claims is unacceptable, and I will keep pushing to have those claims expedited," he said. "... My job is to make sure we live up to this responsibility."

The recovery effort that lies ahead is a task he will remain committed to until the area is "... completely restored."

"[We came] to let our fellow Americans know that they should come on down here, it is spectacular," President Obama said. "Not just to support the region; come down here because it's just a beautiful place to visit."

His trip to Panama City Beach this weekend marks the President's fifth visit to the Gulf Coast, but his first vacation in the region and his first visit to Tyndall.