Air Force One landed at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport at 10:15 a.m., and President Barack Obama will soon begin his first visit to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the wake of the BP oil spill.
The stairs have been pulled out at the ready and security is on the tarmac.
Gov. and Marsha Barbour are arriving to greet the president. Mrs. Barbour is wearing a white sweater set and are accompanied by National Guard troops.
Barbour is wearing a powder-blue short-sleeved shirt.
Six television news crews and another dozen or so print and radio journalists are gathered in the heat at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport this morning to wait for President Barack Obama to arrive in Gulfport this morning for the first of a two-day visit to the Gulf Coast.
Secret Service, a bomb dog and military also are on the tarmac to ensure the president’s safety.
Meanwhile, Gulfport Police Department began closing down streets that insect U.S. 90 between Hewes Avenue and U.S. 49 in anticipation of Obama’s motorcade.
A Gulfport Community Service vehicle was parked at Second Street and Hewes Avenue to prevent any traffic or north or south.
Police also are barricading parking bays along U.S. 90 between U.S. 49 and the White Cap Restaurant just east of Courthouse Road, as well as the parking lot at the White Cap Restaurant.
Parked across the street from the White Cap is a truck with a sign on it that reads, in part, “Save Our Sound.”
Obama is expected to leave for Alabama at 1:50 p.m.
