Don’t put away that scanner too soon.

There is a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) in place from April 14, 2026 at 1645 EDT to April 14, 2026 at 1959 EDT, tomorrow, for the Athens Airport. Apparently, JD Vance will be flying in to attend a Turning Point USA event at the University of Georgia / Akins Ford Arena. Erika Kirk is also scheduled to appear at that event.

Prep your scanner with the following frequencies:

  • 132.475 AM — Atlanta Approach

  • 291.100 AM — Approach UHF

  • 126.300 AM — Athens Tower

  • 338.275 AM — Tower UHF

  • 121.800 AM — Athens Ground / Clearance

  • 132.875 AM — ASOS (automated, real-time weather and airport data)

Look for Vance’s aircraft on ADSB Exchange, since it will usually show military planes. By clicking the “U” in the top right of the map screen you can limit the view to just military aircraft. It has been reported that he will come in a C-40 (the military version of the Boing 737). On the radio, listen for “Air Force 2”. On the ADSB map, it is likely that the callsign is not reported as AF-2 but will likely be the only military jet coming to Athens.

Air Force 2 on final for runway 27 in Athens, GA

Air Force 2 taxis to the ramp.

I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I would see if I could catch a glimps of Air Force Two arriving at the Athens Airport. It turns out that security was pretty lax and I managed to park in the Hertz parking lot, next to where the club meets.

I managed to hear SAM2A and AF2 talk on the Approach frequency, 132.475, and on the Tower frequency, 126.300. They used the civilian aircraft band and where not on UHF. The first 737, callsign SAM2A, was already pulled up in front of the building, unloading when I arrived. I was there about 10 minutes when Air Force Two was cleared to land. AF2 taxied right next to SAM2A.

I also monitored the ACCPD motorcade on 8TAC93, 852.5125. I got one hit from the Secret Service on my scanner. It was around 165.45 MHz but was encrypted. I didn’t write down the frequency so that is not the exact frequency but it was in that band. I didn’t do much scanning due to the noise and all of the activity. I did try to go into the terminal building, to take a picture of the aircraft through the windows, but the Secret Service would not let me in because “they had the building secured.”

If you are like me, you are interested in the radio aspect of a visit so I tried to take some pictures of the antennas on the vehicles. Unfourtunatly, the camera on my phone is pretty poor so the pictures are lacking in detail.

SAM2A sittng on the ramp.

This is very likely a LAIRCM / DIRCM laser turret—the gimbaled jammer assembly. On these systems, the turret tracks an incoming heat-seeking missile and points a laser at the missile’s seeker to confuse or jam it. Official descriptions of the AN/AAQ-24 LAIRCM system say it uses a Guardian Laser Transmitter Assembly to track the inbound missile and aim the laser jammer automatically.

This vehicle might be the new White House Communications Agency Mobile Command and Control Vehicle (MC2V) vehicle nicknamed Roadrunner. Its primary job is to maintain high-bandwidth satellite and radio links for the entire convoy, which it can do from the rear while remaining protected by the motorcade's outer security layers. It is interesting to note that it look like the antennas are mag mounts.

Most of the Secret Service vehicles in this motorcade are the new Jeep Wagoneer L (specifically the 2025 Command Operations Vehicle or COV variant) equipped for government and high-security motorcade duties.

Most of the local vehicles in the motorcade, such as the ACCPD cars and the GSP cars, were sporting a mag mount antenna supplied by the Secret Service.

This vehicle is probably Watchtower (Electronic Countermeasures Vehicle). To effectively protect from remote-controlled explosives and drones, this vehicle must stay in close proximity to the principal. It provides:

  • Signal Jamming (Counter-IED): Its most critical task is to jam radio frequencies within a specific radius, creating a "dead zone" for cell phones and other wireless devices. This prevents the remote detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by blocking the signals that would trigger them.

  • Missile Warning: It provides the entire convoy with laser and radar warnings, identifying when a threat (like an anti-tank guided missile) is using a laser for designation or ranging.

  • Signals Intelligence: The vehicle constantly analyzes the local electronic environment to distinguish between harmless consumer electronics and potential weaponized transmissions.

The HAMMER (Hazardous Agent Mitigation Medical Emergency Response) unit. The unit is part of the Secret Service Special Operations Division and is designed to provide immediate rescue, decontamination, and specialized medical care in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) attack on the motorcade.

This looks like the CAT (Counter Assault Team) vehicle. They are responsible for counter-attacking and neutralizing any incoming threats. Notice the driver is already outfitted in full battle gear.

There are two “identical” armored vehicles for the protectee. One has the protectee and the other is a decoy. In these two pictures, you can see a satellite antenna mounted on the roof racks of one while the other appears to have a surface mount satellite antenna above the driver’s area.