RHEIN-MAIN AB, Germany (Stars and Stripes) — President Carter made a quick stop at the air base here where he left Air Force One and joined a motorcade heading to Wiesbaden Air Base.

Carter’s visit to the Gateway to Europe lasted only 22 minutes, but in that time he visited with pilots and flight crewmen of several fighter airplanes from the U.S. and German air forces and shook several hundred American hands.

One of those airmen, Capt. Dan Kuebler, an F-15 pilot from Bitburg AB, said of his talk with the president, "He asked how I like flying the airplane. I told him I love to fly it and that it’s a very easy airplane to fly." He quoted Carter as saying, "We’re trying to get you more (F-15s) over here."

Kuebler added, "I didn’t talk to him very much, but he’s very personable and he was very interested in meeting the support personnel."

After talking with the president, the crew spent about five minutes with Secretary of State Cyrus Vance. "Vance was interested in seeing the airplane, knowing about its capabilities and its role in NATO." Several thousand people had gathered near the flight line, hoping to catch a glimpse or momentarily clutch the hand of the president.

After speaking with the aircrews Carter moved to the waiting throng, grasping hands, kissing a few children whose parents had thrust them into the president’s path.

The presidential schedule apparently left little time for Carter to chat with members of the crowd, as he spoke only briefly: "A lot of hands here" or "Nice to see you" as he was hurried down the line.

First Lady Rosalynn and daughter Amy also put in an appearance, with Amy hamming it up — and the crowd loving it.

Many first reactions on seeing the president was, "Wow, he really looks old," and "He’s not as tall as I thought he’d be."

Grey Edwards Jr. of Ayers Casern, who managed to get a tentative hold on Carter, said, "I thought I’d have a better chance of seeing him here than at Wiesbaden.

"He was only here for a very few minutes but managed to do a lot in the short time he had. I guess it takes a lot of energy to be president."

Spec. 4. Stacy Chandler, Rhein-Main Army-Navy liaison staffer, said, "It’s worth it to come out here in the cold to see him." Chandler had completed a 12-hour shift at the liaison desk some two hours earlier and had waited in the cool, rain-threatening morning for more than an hour to see Carter.

After whisking through the crowd, Carter stepped up on the running board of his limousine, and gave a wave which drew a roar of approval from the crowd.

The first plane had fired its engines within five minutes of Carter’s departure and no more than 30 minutes later, the last plane had pointed its nose skyward; leaving only aircraft support personnel, the barrier ropes and a few hundred miniature American flags scattered on the ground.