President Joe Biden landed in Anchorage Wednesday afternoon, on his way to the G-7 Summit in Japan.
Air Force One touched down at 2:24 p.m. at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to refuel. Biden and one of his granddaughters disembarked and spent about 10 minutes on the tarmac, according to a Washington Post pool reporter traveling with them. The plane lifted off again just before 4 p.m.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre were also on board, the pool reporter wrote.
Presidents on their way to Asia often make a refueling stop in Anchorage. President Richard Nixon stopped at Elmendorf Air Force Base on his way back from his historic trip to China in 1972.
It’s a big day for White House travel to Alaska. First lady Jill Biden is heading to Japan also. She’ll refuel in Bethel Wednesday evening. She’s scheduled to speak at Bethel Regional High School with Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Alaska Congresswoman Mary Peltola.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the time Air Force One landed and departed in Anchorage and additional details.
Liz Ruskin is the Washington, D.C., correspondent at Alaska Public Media. Reach her atlruskin@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Lizhere.
