They're Off! The World's 'First Couple' Heads to London

Descending Air Force One outside of London, via Huffington PostUPDATE: 2:55 PM, EST: Touchdown in U.K.! Clothes Change for Michelle over the Atlantic. Is this crazy or what!! What can I say. We all want to know.

See photos at Huffington Post.

FOTUS left Washington wearing a white Thakoon coat over a black Michael Kors dress. Walking down the steps of Air Force One, Michelle was her youthful, sensual, rock star self, wearing a vivid yellow Jason Wu dress and a black Thakoon coat.

First Couple preparing to leave Tues.

They're Off!

Let me give you an overview of what it takes to move an American president and his wife to Europe this week. I admit that I have no idea what's involved, but the London Observer and London Telegraph gives us more than a few clues.

Bottom line, the Obamas are not traveling 'light'.

Packing List:
• more than 500 officials and staff
• "The Beast", $300,000 presidential limo
• a team from the White House Kitchen
• 200 US secret service staff
• six-doctor medical team

The US presidential jet, Air Force One, will land at Stansted airport outside of London on Tuesday.

The three-level Boeing 747-200B is fitted with its own gym, electronic defence units and shielding to protect its complex communication devices from radiation from nuclear blasts. Among the officials on the flight will be a military officer carrying America's nuclear missile launch codes.

Air Force One also has a large office, conference room and medical suite. It can seat 75 people and has armored glass in all its windows.

Air Force One is not flying alone. Cargo planes bring the president's transportation with him, as estimated 35 vehicles, including cars and helicopters.

Marine One, a VH-3D helicopter, will transfer POTUS and FLOTUS from Air Force One after it lands at Stansted airport to the centre of London, to the US Ambassador’s residence near Regent’s Park, where they will meet with U.S. embassy workers ronight at the American School in London.

F16s are also accompanying the airborne flotilla across the Atlantic. The most powerful man in the world is on board, and assassination is always a concern.

POTUS's blood, type AB, is on board, along with surgeons, nurses and other medical personnel.

President Obama's main-man assistant Reggie Love, "the kid brother I never had", will be front and center, dialing his Blackberry when necessary, and offering up a piece of Nicorette gum when necessary. Remember that POTUS isn't smoking these days.

There's no word on whether First Lady Michelle Obama, also traveling with a secretary, a press officer and several bodyguards, gets any private time, with the president. The private cabin has two twin beds that also function as sofas.

Hillary Clinton, now secretary of state and the public face of American diplomacy will be onboard, along with chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel. Obama's economic team includes Larry Summers, head of the National Economic Council, and Christina Romer, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers.

Obama will be ferried from Stansted to the US ambassador's residence in Regent's Park, London, in a VH-3D helicopter.

It never flies alone for security reasons and is used alongside a number of decoy helicopters, designed to confuse potential terrorists.

FOTUS has her own team of eight, including a secretary, press officer and body guards.

Tomorrow the First Couple will meet privately with the Queen at Buckingham Palace, before attending a reception at the palace for all the G-20 leaders. That reception will be attended by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Bon voyage POTUS and FLOTUS, and may the force be with you. Anne