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Obama: bullet-proof jacket, armored limo

by TDH | January 21, 2009 at 02:27 pm

3646 views | 15 Recommendations | 5 comments

If you're at all like me, when the just-barely-inaugurated Obama stepped gracefully from the safety of his Cadillac tank (more on that later) and into the open air of the inaugural parade, you were half expecting a sudden end to the dream. Maybe that sounds a bit cynical and surely a bit morbid, but it's cynicism and morbidity that runs the Secret Service.

"The fact that this is an African American is not lost on us," Secret Service spokesman Malcolm Wiley says. "We understand that this is a historic event; we understand that this is different from other inaugurations. It is one additional piece that we factor into the plan."

Jack Tomarchio, who recently retired as the homeland security deputy undersecretary for intelligence and analysis operations, said that an African-American president could incite "a whole new cast of weirdos, like white supremacists or other people that might have a grudge against him purely because of his ethnic background."

I feel somewhat relieved to hear that Obama, though by all accounts brave, was apparently very well shielded - right down to a bulletproof coat!

Obama will wear bullet-resistant clothing, speak behind a protective glass shield and ride in the parade in the armored Cadillac limousine, with doors and windows so thick that he probably would survive a bomb blast, law enforcement officials said.

Trailing his car will be black vans loaded with Special Weapons and Tactics and counter-assault teams, high-speed communications equipment and electronic devices capable of jamming the detonators for homemade bombs.

Nondescript boxes that can detect the airborne releases of chemical or biological weapons such as lethal anthrax spores will be scattered among the crowds.

It's unclear what brand of body armor Obama sported at the inauguration, but several companies produce discreet, thinner vests that can be worn underneath clothing, inserted into an outer layer (like a coat) or woven into a shirt. Miguel Caballero, a Colombian company, makes bullet-resistant leather jackets, polo shirts, Windbreakers, and ruffled tuxedo shirts, which range from a few hundred dollars to $7,000 in price. There is a trade-off between efficacy and subtlety since, as a rule, it's more expensive to manufacture thin-but-reliable vests and shirts.

It's not just the coat though. That rolling bunker that somewhat resembles a Cadillac you saw Obama riding in, is nearly indestructible.

One day I would like to order a Cadillac from GM and ask for 8 inch armor plating, an emergency oxygen supply, a petrol tank capable of absorbing a direct grenade launcher hit, puncture and shred resistant Kevlar tires - oh and throw in a couple bottles of compatible blood to go with it, just in case I need a quick transfusion.

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Terri Potratz

at 18:21 on January 21st, 2009

Bullet proof clothing, amazing.

My guess is he was also wearing an invisible helmet to protect his head, what do you think?

Janaine (not verified)

at 04:56 on January 23rd, 2009

"GOOD ONE!!!" =)

dalesun

at 15:34 on January 22nd, 2009

I was lucky enough to see President and First Lady Obama walk right by me on the Inaugural Parade route near 10th Street on Pennsylvania Avenue, and it left a huge impression on me. It was the peak of several wonderful days here, with the city jam-packed full of happy and elated people celebrating. I've lived in DC for several other inaugurations, which were nothing like this.

I looked for a way to explain how they looked, as the President and First Lady went by, and think I eventually found the right words; cheerful, natural, and beautiful. This could also describe Obama's campaign and winning the election, and how that feels here in the US (in spite of the challenges we're facing) and especially here in DC recently. Experiencing the hope he's inspired, to this degree, has convinced me of how powerful it is.

I was able to get some good photos, and contributed one of the President and First Lady walking in the parade to this article (which you can click to get to my Flickr sets with more photos).

Security for the parade was very tight, everyone entering the area was screened, the entire route was lined with a double-row of fencing, and one or two continuous rows of police officers who watched the crowd very carefully. Officers could also be seen on the rooftops of buildings. It's nice to see here some of the additional precautions taken that were not so obvious.

The risk of them walking in the parade was likely less than what they will frequently face in the years ahead. The President can't do his job from inside a bubble. I think it's great they walked as much as they did in the parade, and I'll never forget it.

dalesun has contributed a photo to this story.

harringtola

at 21:49 on January 27th, 2009

It is really reassuring to know that he was not walking down that street unprotected. I had no idea and it was a little disconcerting to think he might have been just braving the crowds.