Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Saturday

Interview With Tony Cunha

Aired May 03, 2003 - 12:43   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: As we mentioned, as the USS Abraham Lincoln, the aircraft carrier, makes its way back to home base in Everett, Washington, on the East Coast, a salute to the U.S. troops on the sea and in the sky. The annual McDonald's Sea and Air Show honors forces returning from the warzone. CNN's John Zarrella is live from the show in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. What's going on there right now?
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Boy, Fredricka, and what an honoring they are receiving. During the next couple of days, the organizers of this ninth annual event expect something like four million people, two million today, two million tomorrow. You can see down the beach, some of the crowd that's gathered here, along the beach. Not bad duty for a Saturday afternoon.

The opening ceremonies got under way about an hour or so ago and the U.S. Army's Golden Knights flew in and paratrooped out from about 10,500 feet, that started off the events here today, and we just had an F-18, a fighter jet, fly by for about six minutes, doing some aerobatics, just absolutely tantalizing the crowd. We're waiting for an F-117 stealth fighter, which is expected to be coming over any minute. If we see it, of course, we're not supposed to see it, right, isn't that the idea? No, if we see it, when we see it, we'll try to get you that shot, but wanted to bring in Commander Tony Cunha.

Tony, how's the weather here? Now, you just got back from Iraq. This has got to be kind of -- from hot to hot?

TONY CUNHA, U.S. AIR FORCE RESERVE: Well, it's from dry heat to a wet heat, as we know, John, you live down here, as I do. And, the humidity feels good, though. It's nice to be able to know when getting dehydrated and sweaty. It's an absolutely gorgeous day out here today and, you know, the McDonald's national salute to the U.S. military, not just an air show, it's the United States showing pride in its citizenship and its men and women of the military, which as we know, still many of them are still overseas.

ZARRELLA: Now, I want to ask you, you're with the 301st Air Rescue?

CUNHA: Yes, sir.

ZARRELLA: And you really were involved in several rescue missions in Iraq, weren't you? What can you tell us about that?

CUNHA: Well sir, our guys, the 920th Rescue Wing, 301st Rescue Squadron, out of Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, Reserve Unit, we're involved in the first combat rescue mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom. A little bit different than picking up fighter pilots, which is our traditional job.

ZARRELLA: And there was a demonstration when this whole -- when we got started today, using some of your aircrafts.

CUNHA: Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Some of my guys and gals from Patrick Air Force Base came down here and showed a display. A little bit over the sand and the water, but pretty much the same operation. First mission was pickup of a Navy -- or disregard that, a Marine force recon team that was deep behind enemy lines, way north of Nasiriya and that was pretty nice to bring those guys back.

ZARRELLA: That's pretty instance, what you guys do, isn't it?

CUNHA: Yes, sir, that it is. Also, our guys were involved in, I'd say, about 50% of every high-profile rescue. The A-10 pilot that was shot down over Baghdad; ten hours earlier than that the Special Forces team that was ambushed in the city, we casualty evacked them out of the city and brought them back to safety.

ZARRELLA: Before I let you go, I have to ask you one question. Our cameraman who works for us here, Jerry Simonson and of course Bob Franken, were the embeds who worked with you, now. How was that experience, working with embeds, particularly Bob and Jerry?

CUNHA: Bob, I love you, know that. I ate all your skittles. Bob is an excellent person, Bob Franken was a great guy to work with and Jerry -- Jerry my daughter appreciates the little video you sent home. Had the opportunity -- did a nice thing for Jerry, he returned the favor...

ZARRELLA: But, the embed experience was good?

CUNHA: Outstanding. It was very nice to be able to see the media give us the capability of showing what we do for the American public. Other than the classified stuff, Bob, that we're not supposed to talk about.

ZARRELLA: Tony, thanks so much for taking the time out and get out of that warm outfit, you know, the bathing suit's the order of the day here.

All throughout the day, Fredricka, there are going to be flyovers, we expect the B-2 bombers, B-1B bombers, many, many more jet fighters, along with lots of aircraft. and, again, the entire show and the process will be conducted again tomorrow and the Thunderbirds are going to perform, to close out today's activities, at about 4:00 Eastern time this afternoon. So, throughout the day, we're going to try to bring folks as much as we can of this air show. And, right now, you know, we're still waiting on the F-117, but again, maybe we're not supposed to see it, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: I think they want you all to see it, John, but even though it looks like a lot of folks are enjoying the sun and the surf out there behind you, does it appear as though this has certainly appealed to a lot more people this time around than it has previous years, given it -- you know, it is the end of this war conflict?

ZARRELLA: You know what, I think what we're seeing more this time, not so much the numbers any different because they have a tremendous showing all the time, but the outpouring of patriotism. There are lots of young woman running around with flags -- American flags that they are handing out and people selling American flags. There's going to be a big display at about 4:00, after the Thunderbirds finish their show, and there's going to be a salute to America. They hope that everybody -- all two million people on the beach, are going to be waving their American flags, so, that should be one sight to see this afternoon, as well. But, yes, I think it's the outpouring of patriotism that you see, everything from the red white and blue chase lounges, you know, to the American flags that are here, quite a few of them, everywhere you turn. That's what we see mostly -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, John Zarrella, thanks very much. In the middle of it all, there with the two million or so folks at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, enjoying the sight and sounds of the Air and Sea Show; and waiting for those F-117's. All right, thanks a lot.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired May 3, 2003 - 12:43   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: As we mentioned, as the USS Abraham Lincoln, the aircraft carrier, makes its way back to home base in Everett, Washington, on the East Coast, a salute to the U.S. troops on the sea and in the sky. The annual McDonald's Sea and Air Show honors forces returning from the warzone. CNN's John Zarrella is live from the show in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. What's going on there right now?
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Boy, Fredricka, and what an honoring they are receiving. During the next couple of days, the organizers of this ninth annual event expect something like four million people, two million today, two million tomorrow. You can see down the beach, some of the crowd that's gathered here, along the beach. Not bad duty for a Saturday afternoon.

The opening ceremonies got under way about an hour or so ago and the U.S. Army's Golden Knights flew in and paratrooped out from about 10,500 feet, that started off the events here today, and we just had an F-18, a fighter jet, fly by for about six minutes, doing some aerobatics, just absolutely tantalizing the crowd. We're waiting for an F-117 stealth fighter, which is expected to be coming over any minute. If we see it, of course, we're not supposed to see it, right, isn't that the idea? No, if we see it, when we see it, we'll try to get you that shot, but wanted to bring in Commander Tony Cunha.

Tony, how's the weather here? Now, you just got back from Iraq. This has got to be kind of -- from hot to hot?

TONY CUNHA, U.S. AIR FORCE RESERVE: Well, it's from dry heat to a wet heat, as we know, John, you live down here, as I do. And, the humidity feels good, though. It's nice to be able to know when getting dehydrated and sweaty. It's an absolutely gorgeous day out here today and, you know, the McDonald's national salute to the U.S. military, not just an air show, it's the United States showing pride in its citizenship and its men and women of the military, which as we know, still many of them are still overseas.

ZARRELLA: Now, I want to ask you, you're with the 301st Air Rescue?

CUNHA: Yes, sir.

ZARRELLA: And you really were involved in several rescue missions in Iraq, weren't you? What can you tell us about that?

CUNHA: Well sir, our guys, the 920th Rescue Wing, 301st Rescue Squadron, out of Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, Reserve Unit, we're involved in the first combat rescue mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom. A little bit different than picking up fighter pilots, which is our traditional job.

ZARRELLA: And there was a demonstration when this whole -- when we got started today, using some of your aircrafts.

CUNHA: Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Some of my guys and gals from Patrick Air Force Base came down here and showed a display. A little bit over the sand and the water, but pretty much the same operation. First mission was pickup of a Navy -- or disregard that, a Marine force recon team that was deep behind enemy lines, way north of Nasiriya and that was pretty nice to bring those guys back.

ZARRELLA: That's pretty instance, what you guys do, isn't it?

CUNHA: Yes, sir, that it is. Also, our guys were involved in, I'd say, about 50% of every high-profile rescue. The A-10 pilot that was shot down over Baghdad; ten hours earlier than that the Special Forces team that was ambushed in the city, we casualty evacked them out of the city and brought them back to safety.

ZARRELLA: Before I let you go, I have to ask you one question. Our cameraman who works for us here, Jerry Simonson and of course Bob Franken, were the embeds who worked with you, now. How was that experience, working with embeds, particularly Bob and Jerry?

CUNHA: Bob, I love you, know that. I ate all your skittles. Bob is an excellent person, Bob Franken was a great guy to work with and Jerry -- Jerry my daughter appreciates the little video you sent home. Had the opportunity -- did a nice thing for Jerry, he returned the favor...

ZARRELLA: But, the embed experience was good?

CUNHA: Outstanding. It was very nice to be able to see the media give us the capability of showing what we do for the American public. Other than the classified stuff, Bob, that we're not supposed to talk about.

ZARRELLA: Tony, thanks so much for taking the time out and get out of that warm outfit, you know, the bathing suit's the order of the day here.

All throughout the day, Fredricka, there are going to be flyovers, we expect the B-2 bombers, B-1B bombers, many, many more jet fighters, along with lots of aircraft. and, again, the entire show and the process will be conducted again tomorrow and the Thunderbirds are going to perform, to close out today's activities, at about 4:00 Eastern time this afternoon. So, throughout the day, we're going to try to bring folks as much as we can of this air show. And, right now, you know, we're still waiting on the F-117, but again, maybe we're not supposed to see it, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: I think they want you all to see it, John, but even though it looks like a lot of folks are enjoying the sun and the surf out there behind you, does it appear as though this has certainly appealed to a lot more people this time around than it has previous years, given it -- you know, it is the end of this war conflict?

ZARRELLA: You know what, I think what we're seeing more this time, not so much the numbers any different because they have a tremendous showing all the time, but the outpouring of patriotism. There are lots of young woman running around with flags -- American flags that they are handing out and people selling American flags. There's going to be a big display at about 4:00, after the Thunderbirds finish their show, and there's going to be a salute to America. They hope that everybody -- all two million people on the beach, are going to be waving their American flags, so, that should be one sight to see this afternoon, as well. But, yes, I think it's the outpouring of patriotism that you see, everything from the red white and blue chase lounges, you know, to the American flags that are here, quite a few of them, everywhere you turn. That's what we see mostly -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, John Zarrella, thanks very much. In the middle of it all, there with the two million or so folks at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, enjoying the sight and sounds of the Air and Sea Show; and waiting for those F-117's. All right, thanks a lot.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com