From Kyle Hopkins in Anchorage --

Click here to read a White House transcript of President Obama's speech today at Elmendorf.

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From Kyle Hopkins in Anchorage --

“I asked the president who he’s got in the NCAA tournament this year, because I know he’s a huge basketball fan. He says it’s too early to tell,” said Staff Sergeant Michael Gray, a Texas Longhorns fan. “We shall see.”

I noticed Gray standing in the swarm of people filing out of the hangar after the president’s speech. He was watching a video he shot on his iPhone – a close-up of Obama making his way through the crowd greeting airmen and soldiers. (Check back for speech excerpts soon.)

Joelle Davis, a 25-year-old Texan whose husband is an Elmendorf airman, stood nearby. She skipped a history test at UAA to be here she said. Spent the morning hours waiting for the president’s speech studying her human anatomy and physiology textbook.

“Even if McCain was standing up there, I would be just as stoked because he’s the president of the United States. You are seeing the leader of your country and he cares enough to come here and talk to you,” she said.

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President Obama gave a strong speech of support to Army and Air Force personnel stationed in Anchorage, saying he has their back and will make sure they have enough support to fulfill the missions they’ve been given.

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From Rich Mauer at Elmendorf --

The chaplain started the program with a reading from Ecclesiasticus: To everything there is a season…. He also made references to the Fort Hood shootings.

The Air Force Band of the Pacific then played the national anthem, although a cappela.

Obama is making his entrance. Everyone's cameras and cell phones held aloft.

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From Rich Mauer at Elmendorf --

National media just arrived. One grabbed two folding chairs from the local press table from reporters who were mingling around. They won't be happy.

Just talking to Ethan & Mara Berkowitz. They had two of Don Young's tickets.

Young's office called to offer them — a consolation for not being able to see the president in DC....

Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan is indeed here, in the front of the civilian section. Sen. Mark Begich is here, too.

Meanwhile, the jazz band just switched to funk.

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From Rich Mauer at Elmendorf –

Sounded like Obama’s plane landed at 12:52. Might've been the fighter escort, too.

The band has been playing all kinds of jazz standards from the ’30s. “Sing Sing Sing” now.... And doing a pretty good job.

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From Rich Mauer at Elmendorf –

Several soldiers standing in the standing-room section were surprised how close they were to the platform where the president will be speaking — less than 100 feet.

Staff Sgt. Terrence Lewis of the 109th Transportation Company at Fort

Richardson: "It's a little exciting. First time I've ever been this close to the president."

Sgt. Victor Robinson, also of the 109th Transportation Company. "It's always good when the commander in chief makes a stop and talks to the soldiers."

2nd Lt. Allison Gould, 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Fort

Rich: "It's always so exciting to see the president." She saw George W. Bush once, but it was from a much further distance. "This is so much closer. It's like good tickets."

1st Lt. Jennifer Garigliano, also with the 17th CSSB: She asked to come. Each unit got a certain number of tickets, and people requested one if they wanted to come. "It's not every day you get to the see the President."

Gould, motioning with her arms like she was balancing two thoughts:

"Working every day," she said, her left arm going down. “Going to the see the President,” her right arm rising. "It’s good that he stopped in to say Hi."

Soldiers waiting

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From Kyle Hopkins at Elmendorf –

Has Obama landed? “Not to my knowledge,” a White House staffer says.

Can that be right? The military has set up a medical tent in the back of the hangar in case anyone collapse or, I guess, falls off a riser.

Soldiers and airmen are chatting. A woman in fatigues is bouncing her daughter on her shoulders.

The girl – in a pink parka, braids – is grabbing at mom’s face.

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The hangar: The stage at Elmendorf Air Force Base's Hanger 1 where President Obama will speak this afternoon. An F-15 jet is in the background. Airmen, soldiers and others are gathering. Music is playing.From Kyle Hopkins at Elmendorf --

The band is taking a break at the hangar on Elmendorf Air Force Base, where hundreds are waiting for President Obama to appear.

An F-15 sits in the corner. Reporters have been tweeting furiously, after having our bags sniffed by Zora – a contraband sniffing dog.

A very serious woman with a badge on her hip is watching the press herd, arms folded. Sen. Mark Begich is shaking hands in the crowd. Here comes a trumpet solo.

Zora on patrol