Friday 10/10/25 1950-2030Z (3:50pm - 4:30pm) - Marine-2 double movement from ADW to Naval Observatory with 15-20 mins on ground and returning to ADW, stops DCA for 2x VIP movements, and triggers a broader ground stop for DCA, issued for 2014Z-2130Z timeframe.
Not sure all the ripple effects but for example RPA4515 from CHS to DCA due to depart 16:41 local was delayed to 17:37. There were no diversions for the planes on DCA final, but one aircraft in the 2nd hold started to discuss alternate might be needed if delayed for 2nd time more than 10 mins.
VP Vance was returning on AF2 from trip to Indinapolis (IND), and after the Marine-2 movements flew back west to Cincinnati (CVG), presumably with family.
And throw in some comms issues and a Medevac of course...
Timeline (Zulu, NH = Nighthawk):19:11 AF2 lands ADW from IND
19:52 DCA Depature/Arrivals stopped19:56 M2 enters DCA Bravo20:00 NH8 escort calls Landing Assured @ JBAB
20:02 M2 calls Landing Assured @ P-56B (Naval Observatory) / DCA resumes operations20:07 NH 2/8 internal comms "he just got out, expecting him back in about 15 mins"
20:09 Bonus material - JIA5592 misunderstands call for "#3" in departure sequence and reads back LUAW, stopped by Tower
20:19 NH 2/8 internal comms to call Tower for "3 mins to lift" - report unable to reach Tower (calls to Tower not audible on LiveATC)
20:21 DCA Departure/Arrivals stopped. RPA4323 on Final continues inbound for Rwy 1920:22 M2 informs Tower "lifting" (relayed to Tower via NH8) but not clear they lifted at this time - Tower later confirms20:23 RPA4323 issued traffic advisory of helicopter 1 mile north of DCA northbound (presumably NH8 escort out of JBAB), RPA4323 lands 20:24
20:24 Medevac STAT10 enters the chat from the North, requesting GW which crosses M2 route. Tower verifies clearance and STAT10 told to continue inbound
20:25 Tower calls M2 asking "are you going to lift any moment now?"
20:27 M2 cleared for visual separation with STAT10 reported 1 mile north of Washington Hospital Center, M2 confirms "well behind us"
20:28 M2 switches to ADW20:29 DCA resumes operations20:50 AF2 departs ADW for CVG
https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_otherdis?adv_date=10102025&advn=70ATCSCC ADVZY 070 DCA/ZDC 10/10/2025 CDM GROUND STOP
MESSAGE:
CTL ELEMENT: DCA
ELEMENT TYPE: APT
ADL TIME: 2029Z
GROUND STOP PERIOD: 10/2014Z - 10/2130Z
DEP FACILITIES INCLUDED: (Manual) ZTL ZDC ZNY ZJX ZOB ZBW ZID CYHZ
CYOW CYUL CYYZ CYTZ CYQB
PREVIOUS TOTAL, MAXIMUM, AVERAGE DELAYS: 0 / 0 / 0
NEW TOTAL, MAXIMUM, AVERAGE DELAYS: 544 / 66 / 30
PROBABILITY OF EXTENSION: MEDIUM
IMPACTING CONDITION: OTHER / SECURITY
COMMENTS:
EFFECTIVE TIME: 102031-102230
SIGNATURE: 25/10/10 20:33
Attached compilation from Heli (+NH comms), Tower and DCA Final from 1952-2030Z, edited for time, overlapping comms and content (esp Tower and Final - only delay vector highlights included), not realtime etc etc.
