13. Typically arriving at Joint Base Andrews, the head of state is met by an official delegation and a military honor guard consisting of exactly twenty-one soldiers
During modern state visits, the extravagant event begins with the arrival of the guest dignitary via aircraft at Joint Base Andrews: a military facility located in Maryland that serves as the home for the multiple aircraft known interchangeably as Air Force One. A red carpet is rolled out for the honored visitor and a military cordon, comprised of members from the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard, and the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, forms on either side; this cordon includes precisely 21 individuals for heads of state.
Descending from the aircraft to the performance of “Arrival Fanfare Number One” by the U.S. Air Force Band, the visiting head of state is met by an American child offering a bouquet of flowers. The honored guest is subsequently greeted by a welcoming committee, led by the United States Chief of Protocol and including the American ambassador to the visiting nation, the ambassador from the visiting nation to the United States, the commanding general of Joint Base Andrews, in addition to two or three carefully selected persons representing the nature of the visit and the historic relationship between the two countries.