Shortly before Air Force One departed from Turkey following the recent NATO summit, President Trump secretly transferred to another aircraft. This maneuver involved an airport catering truck, as revealed by a U.S. official familiar with the situation.
The action was a response to intelligence of a credible Iranian threat. U.S. forces detected a plot involving a missile being directed at the president’s plane. The Washington Post initially reported the plane switch.
Inside the administration, there was frustration over the leak of confidential security measures. Officials believe this could hinder the protection of future presidents.
Trump had highlighted risks related to tensions with Iran by calling himself the regime’s ‘number one target’ during the summit. On July 8, he declared he would depart Ankara on the older Air Force One instead of a newer plane. This announcement masked the security motivation, with Trump referring to past associations with the older aircraft and mentioning a U.K. stop for evaluation purposes.
Media footage showed him entering the old Air Force One. A catering truck then discreetly transported him to another government plane, later identified as an Air Force C-32A. This allowed Trump to travel to a U.K. refueling point, separated from his staff and press, who remained under the impression they accompanied him.
During departure preparations in Ankara, journalists were instructed to keep window shades down. Trump later referenced security concerns when probed by the media.
Upon reaching the U.K., Trump boarded the newer Air Force One, a modified Qatari-donated aircraft. The recent debut of the plane in June leads to potential questions about its security, prompting the president to assure reporters during their Atlantic crossing to Washington, D.C.
The administration has not publicly acknowledged the decoy plane usage. Yet, responding to inquiries, White House communications director Steven Cheung emphasized the advanced security measures of the latest Air Force One. The White House reiterated the ongoing threats faced by the president and the continuous efforts to mitigate them.
The Air Force has also confirmed the security and technological advancements of the new presidential aircraft, underlining its capability to fulfill its critical mission.