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Home Front: WoT
Marines unwelcome at Oakland International
2007-09-30
At JFK the procedure was similar to Germany, 3 troops stayed on the plane to guard weapons while the rest deplaned. At the gate we were each given a re-boarding pass and spent about 1.5 hours in the terminal, at which time we re-boarded and flew to Oakland.

As we came in for the final approach to Oakland a Lieutenant who served in Afghanistan with the same unit in 2006 mentioned how when they landed in Oakland they were not allowed in the terminal. He said, "they made us get out by the FED EX building and we had to sit out there for 3 hours". He also indicated he was almost arrested by the TSA for getting belligerent about them not letting the Marines into the terminal.

Well the same thing happened again. This time we did not park by the FED EX building, instead we were offloaded near the grass that separates the active runway from the taxi ramp, about 400 yards from the terminal. When we inquired why they wouldn't allow us in the airport they gave us some lame excuse that we hadn't been screened by TSA. While true, the screening which we did have was much more thorough than any TSA search and was done by US Customs.

Additionally, JFK didn't seem to have a problem with our entering their terminal, nor did security in Germany.

It felt like being spit on. Every Marine and soldier felt the message loud and clear, "YOU ARE NOT WELCOME IN OAKLAND!"

Chaplain Brandon Harding 1ST BN 3D MARINES
It's unfortunate because Oakland used to be a very nice airport to fly through to avoid SFO. If I were still in the Bay Area, I'd fly SJC. But thankfully I'm finished living with those lunatics.
I just used the Contact Us page on their website to send them a copy of the post and request a response to the chaplain's letter. Maybe a few more of you might like to do the same...
Posted by:Nimble Spemble

#15  MichelleMalkin validated the story - by contacting the Chaplain who confirmed the story, the unit and the letter.
Posted by: OldSpook   2007-09-30 23:31  

#14  Vile.
Posted by: Zenster   2007-09-30 23:14  

#13  but they support our troops....



dumb f**ks
Posted by: Jan    2007-09-30 23:05  

#12  What is ludicrous to me is the idea that armed Federal Soldiers are considered less trustworthy than TSA losers thugs - and require the "blessing" of the TSA.

Would Oakland "quarantine" a planeload of armed FBI or Secret Service agents? Or a planeload of police SWAT team members? Or even a planeload of big game hunters?

The plane's movement commander who certifies a planelod of troops as "safe" should be esteemed higher than some lowly TSA slug. Actually, he should be esteemed higher than the Oakland Airport Director.

I can almost visualize the same scenario at hurricane Katrina - "Oh, I'm sorry, your troops are not allowed within the city limits - beacause, they are, well, you know, they are DANGEROUS...."
Posted by: Lone Ranger   2007-09-30 21:08  

#11  sorry Glenmore, we can blame both: their asshole moonbat constituents, and their whoring anti-American politicians, who (one would hope) know better, but pander to the diminished intellect of their constituency.
Posted by: Frank G   2007-09-30 17:14  

#10  Oakland Airport has made some typical excuses, to the effect that the military charter failed to properly communicate that the flight had cleared the equivalent of TSA screening. It may even be true, but is still an inadequate reason to deny terminal access to the troops.
One wonders, when (not if) the next earthquake hits the Bay Area, the authorities will deny access by the troops unless they have cleared TSA screening.
It sounds to me like the politicians are grandstanding for their base - and that's how the system works. Don't blame them, blame the people who continue to elect the Lees, Boxers, etc.
Posted by: Glenmore   2007-09-30 16:48  

#9  May I suggest the following contacts?

Port of Oakland Contact:

Marilyn Sandifur
Media and Public Relations
(510) 627-1193
msandifur@portoakland.com
or
Harold Jones
Director of Communications
(510) 627-1564
hjones@portoakland.com
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2007-09-30 14:42  

#8  No response from my letter thru the "Contact Us" portion.
Posted by: Seafarious   2007-09-30 14:39  

#7  Michelle Malkin has confirmed the email and the story are accurate.
Posted by: lotp   2007-09-30 14:22  

#6  Couple this with the refusal of SF to allow the Marines to film a recruiting video, where the city said they could film as long AS THERE WERE NO MARINES VISIBLE IN ANY OF THE PICTURES!
Yes indeed, Pelosiland and Ron Dellums Commune are alive and well, enjoying the safety the rest of us provide while they piss on our leg every day.....
Posted by: JustAboutEnough   2007-09-30 14:12  

#5  Oakland is not a part of America--foreign terriroty--weirdo_landistan.
Posted by: JohnQC   2007-09-30 09:22  

#4  gorb,

I thought it smelled fishy too, but it came from a credible source and had a name and unit so if someone can disprove it, it should be easy. On the other hand, it is a scurrilous story, if true. I knew the burg would debunk it if false. Enquiring minds want to know.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2007-09-30 07:26  

#3  The San Francisco Bay Gay Area:
back during Vietnam was the worst. Unspeakable. But ever since, there have been insults aplenty.

Mayor Art Agnos and his fellow Lefty travelers blocked battleship Missouri..

They continued to scheme on the Navy/Army/Coast Guard/Marine Real Estate so the Navy & Army finally realized that the SF Bay Area Pols would never negotiate in good faith and decided to dump the Prime stuff.

TI, Treasure Island.
Hunters Point [micro weather is great]
Presidio
Ft Mason
etc.
etc.

What sticks in my craw is that our federal Gubmint HAS NEVER Clobered the a$$hole politicians out here even once.

Of course it would burn/cost we citizens but HEY then these sheep out here NEED a wake up CALL!
Posted by: Red Dawg   2007-09-30 06:05  

#2  Two marines each with a belt can clear out a bar with thirty men in it.

Airports who spit on Marines...form up the Marines. march them right through the Airport end to end. If you get stopped bounce the guys who stop you. Keep Marching. march all over the place and then if they give you any guff see who the Police support...the airport stooges or the Marines. make it political. Dont hurt 'em too bad. Just lay 'em up for a day or two.

Marines dont have to be PC. Dont like that? Suxj a hotchie.
Posted by: Angleton9   2007-09-30 05:00  

#1  I couldn't get link to work.

This story smells fishy.
Posted by: gorb   2007-09-30 03:50  

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