Former President Barack Obama officially lands in Monterey

UPDATE: 2/7/2018 10:00 p.m. Former President Barack Obama officially landed in Monterey Wednesday shortly after 5 p.m.

The 44th President of the United States was escorted out of Monterey Jet Center by several local law enforcement and Secret Service.

The former president was invited to an AT&T conference but no one wanted to confirm where exactly that was.

Obama hit the tarmac, shook a few hands and was rushed into his car, heading to his next destination.

But the preparation for this trip is a little more extensive.

California Highway Patrol rolled onto the tarmac ahead of his arrival. The Sheriff’s office says its bomb squad has been checking out areas ahead of the visit and have been working on this since last week.

“I know the bomb squad is doing their thing today, but I am not privy to the President’s plan or agenda,” said Commander John Thornburg, with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, “I have an idea but I leave that to the Secret Service, I don’t want them banging on my doorway wondering what’s going on.”

Every former U.S. president is protected by the Secret Service, but some people still figured out where they might spot him.

“Heard some rumors that he’s in town, that he’s going to be possibly here,” said one person waiting to see Obama at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa.

Crowds went crazy as he walked straight from the building to his car, sneaking in a wave at the people outside. A brief moment they say was worth the wait.

“It was really cool, it was awesome, to be able to see him really cool seeing him come out awesome,” a spectator said.

Though the details of the rest of the former president’s visit aren’t known, KION did spot some golf clubs packed in the back of his caravan.

UPDATE: 2/7/2018 5:25 p.m. Former President Barack Obama officially landed in Monterey Wednesday shortly after 5 p.m.

The 44th President of the United States was escorted out of Monterey Jet Center by several local law enforcement and Secret Service.

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Former President Barack Obama is expected to be on the Monterey Peninsula this week.

The 44th President of the United States was invited to an AT&T Conference in Monterey County. As far as an exact location, that information has been tightly sealed.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office confirmed with KION that its bomb squad, “Is checking out areas on the Peninsula,” in advance of an Obama visit to the Central Coast.

The Sheriff’s Office is working with the Secret Service and said the agency was contacted last week about Obama’s visit.

Commander John Thornburg said, “I know the bomb squad is doing their thing today, but I am not privy to the President’s plan or agenda. I have an idea, but I leave that to the secret service. I don’t want them banging on my doorway wondering what’s going on.”

Obama is a well known avid golfer but an official with the Pro Am said she would know if he was coming to a Pro Am event and right now that is not the case. So the Pebble Beach course is an unlikely place for Obama to appear.

Of course, Obama coming would be a major deal here on the Central Coast and some people agree.

“I would say pretty awesome. Pretty awesome to see the former President for sure,” said one Michigan resident.

KION’s Aaron Groff has the full story at 5 and 6 p.m.