The Political Chase

The FBI Needs Another Plane Not Political Potshots

The Washington Post has a long article in today’s edition about FBI Director Robert Mueller using the FBI’s Gulfstream V jet for travel that does not adhere to the purposes the jet was originally purchased for. In the late ’90’s, Congress approved the purchase of the 12-passenger jet, which is equipped with “state-of-the-art security and communications equipment” and a galley, to deploy agents on “critical missions” - “fast-moving investigations and crisis situations” in places such as Afghanistan. (Sounds like extraordinary renditions to me.) The context of the article is, Mueller’s use of the aircraft is somewhere between abusing his authority for personal comfort and convenience, to the plane is not being used for its intended purpose. Mueller has used the plane for “speech appearances and field office visits,” but apparently no real misuse like golfing trips for his buddies to Scotland.

Okay, I think the Post set this article up with the intentions of “gotcha,” but I don’t think its fully justified. We do live in a post 9/11 world therefore, Mueller’s security and availability is different than when the jet was purchased. Without knowing how the plane is equipped, I am guessing there may be some overkill for Mueller’s use, but a standard equipped Cessna Citation or commercial carrier is inadequate.

Nobody wants another event like 9/11, but it is possible, if not probable. On the other hand, I don’t think we have to worry about one every month either. As FBI Director, Mueller needs security and he needs to be available at any time, from any location, and with the ability to rapidly travel to a given location. At the same time, if the FBI needs to rapidly dispatch agents on a “critical mission,” Mueller visiting a field office should not be an impediment.

This is a no brainer. The FBI needs another plane equipped properly to suit Mueller’s needs or critical mission needs. My sense is the latter. Technology has advanced substantially over 8+ years, and FBI field operations would probably be better served with updated equipment.

The government could purchase a fleet of fancy planes with amount of money spent for one day in Iraq.

So, where’s the beef in this article or did I miss something? The justified gripe is spending $1,000 to pick up Mueller at Reagan National instead of a 30-minute drive (guessed) to the undisclosed location where the plane’s hangar is.

By the way, the plane in the picture is the same as what my father flew in WWII, a B-24 Liberator.