Marine One, took off from Shannon Airport and banked left.
Five minutes later as Joe watched the shifting scene beneath him, the patchwork of green fields gave way to a more desolate landscape. The soft green became a scrubbed brown and, as the cliff edges approached the underlying limestone peeped through; a harsher gray amidst the lush grass.
In an instant the land ended, falling away dramatically into the sea as the huge expanse of the Atlantic Ocean came into focus. Determined to make the most of the moment, Joe peered out, his forehead almost touching the glass, only leaning back a little as the pilot's voice filled the cabin.
'I heard you're interested in the view from out at sea, sir. We're gonna go out a little over the Atlantic and come back in. The cliffs and walk near your cottage will be visible on the right as we fly back overland sir, ma'am. The cottage and farm will be next and I know you've already visited the castle. That will be visible about twenty seconds after we come offshore, look out on the same side. I'll maneuver around them both so you can get a good look and then I'll fly in over the village and do a sweep around so you can get the full experience', he finished as two F16's passed the window, preparing to fly a sortie out ahead of the helicopters.
Joe glanced at Jill, who looked almost as excited as he was but ...
'Did you arrange this?' he asked, knowing the answer as she turned adoring eyes at him.
She tucked her chin on his shoulder. 'Sure. It's just a small thing. The pilots were happy to do it for you', she shrugged but they both knew he appreciated the thought so much.
The pilot's voice came through again. 'We've a lot of personnel down there, sir and I can do a salute to the guys as we fly over if you'd like?' he asked, knowing that this president would appreciate any opportunity to acknowledge the service personnel below.
Jill watched as Joe reached for his headset and fixed the mic in place. 'Yes, absolutely. Thank you for the suggestion. Um, would it be possible to talk to those vessels for a moment?' he asked, peering down, seeing the array of craft, all there for his protection.
'I'll arrange it, sir. Stand by please', the lieutenant said and got to work.
As he waited for an update Joe gazed down, eyes sweeping the sea, interested to see the coastline from above but also to see the full force of the security arrangements they had in place off the coast. The coastguard, navy, secret service were all down there in vessels of all shapes and sizes. The Irish Navy and Customs were there too. He knew an aircraft carrier was off in the distance, anchored way out in the Atlantic Ocean. Helicopters and jets had flown sorties from its deck all week; day and night. Likely it was one of those that accompanied them in the darkness when they were evacuated to the church for safety.
'Sir, I'm ready to patch you into the radio frequency they're all using. As soon as you give the word I'll activate it', he explained and Joe leaned closer to the window, taking in the awesome view as he spoke, settling his eyes on various craft, connecting with them in his own way.
He ended by thanking them all for their service, for their work in protecting him and the first lady and their teams, acknowledging that this stop and the return from France were additions that they accommodated wonderfully. 'You guys and ladies step up every time. I'm so darn proud of you all', he finished, the truth of his sentiment evident in the emotion in his voice.
'My guys here are gonna make this fine machine do a salute to you all. Please take it as a direct acknowledgement from your Commander-In-Chief as an individual thanks to each of you for all that you do', he said, raising his hand to his forehead as the huge helicopter dipped her nose in its own gesture.
