Operations at Glacier Park International Airport experienced very little turbulence during President Donald Trump’s visit Wednesday evening, according to Airport Director Rob Ratkowski.  

The airport was at the center of a major logistical operation as the country’s commander in chief descended on the Flathead Valley for a campaign rally at Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell. The stop was part of Trump’s last-minute tour aimed at shoring up support for his political allies ahead of the midterm elections.  

His visit prompted temporary closures on U.S. 93 and U.S 2 as well as flight restrictions over Kalispell that briefly paused commercial flights. 

“From our perspective, it went nearly flawlessly,” Ratkowski told the Inter Lake on Thursday, praising his staff for their role in the effort. 

Airport officials’ primary responsibility was following U.S. Secret Service’s security protocols. The airport had about a week to plan for Trump’s visit, Ratkowski said. 

Airport employees spent multiple days escorting Secret Service agents around the campus “so that they could check off their list of things that they need to check for security protocols,” Ratkowski said.  

A Boeing V-22 Osprey and a pair of behemoth Boeing C-17 Globemasters also touched down on the tarmac in the encroaching days.  

Agents were provided access to the terminal gates, aircraft parking area and other parts of the airport for security checks. A bomb sweep was also conducted before Air Force One touched down.  

Although Air Force Once was expected to arrive within a general time window, its exact arrival time was not confirmed until a few hours beforehand. He was expected to speak at Majestic Valley Arena at 6:15 p.m., but his plane did not land until 6:30 p.m.  

After the Boeing 757 was parked in the hangar area north of the terminal, airport snow-removal vehicles were positioned around the plane to block sightlines. Additional equipment was placed in front of fence gates to prevent a motorist from potentially breaking through the perimeter, Ratkowski said.  

The president’s motorcade was stored in an airport building before moving onto Trumble Creek Road and toward the rally.  

U.S. 2 was shut down temporarily while the motorcade travelled to and from the arena. A portion of U.S. 93 near the arena was closed the entirety of his visit. Law enforcement vehicles flipped on flashing lights and parked in front of highway access points during the closures. 

Atlantic Aviation — a business-aviation service provider that owns a hangar at Glacier Airport — serviced and fueled the Boeing 757 while Trump spoke at the Majestic Valley Arena, according to Ratkowski. 

To coordinate the many moving parts involved in transporting the president, officials established a command post staffed by the airport’s deputy director, a Secret Service agent and a Flathead County Sheriff’s office liaison.  

Temporary flight restrictions caused two commercial flights to get delayed by around 45 minutes, according to Ratkowski.  

One flight was held while Air Force One landed, and the other was delayed during Trump’s departure. It was an expected hiccup, though, he said.  

While hosting Trump was a major undertaking, it is not the first time the airport has prepared for the arrival of a president or other high-ranking government officials.  

“We’ve had numerous vice-presidential visits here,” Ratkowski said. “This one is a little more intense, but it’s pretty similar.”  

Several years ago, Glacier Park International Airport was notified less than 24 hours before former President Barrack Obama’s planned visit. Although the trip never happened, Ratkowski said the airport’s preparation was similar. 

“We’re just happy to have been part of that whole operation,” he said. “It’s a monumental feat.” 

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 406-758-4407 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.