President Donald Trump reportedly used a smaller military plane instead of Air Force One due to an Iranian assassination threat. This happened as he left the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, last month. This has brought attention to the safety and security of presidential transport.
Although Trump was seen boarding Air Force One in Turkey’s capital, he was actually moved to an Air Force C-32A, according to The Washington Post. The switch occurred via a catering truck used for meals on aircraft. This maneuver turned Air Force One, along with White House staff and journalists on board, into a decoy.
Trump had announced that he would take an “old Air Force One” from the NATO summit to a UK airbase instead of the Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8 jet. The security status of the Qatari jet has been questioned despite modifications by the U.S. military. Trump introduced this aircraft at Joint Base Andrews in June, highlighting its unmatched luxury.
What Is The Air Force’s C-32A?
The C-32A is usually for the vice-president, first lady, and other senior politicians on international trips. When occupied by the vice-president, it is identified as Air Force Two. The aircraft has four main sections for passengers.
The first section includes a communications center, ten seats, refreshments, and a toilet. The second section is a fully-enclosed stateroom with a changing area, entertainment, a fold-out bed, another toilet, and two first-class seats.
The plane’s third section contains eight more seats, while the back has 32 seats, a galley, and two toilets.
How Does Air Force One Compare?
The existing Air Force One comprises two Boeing 747-200B aircraft, known as VC-25. The interior is customized with advanced avionics for the president and staff, making it a flying command center.
The C-32 has a more compact design than the VC-25 and is a military version of the Boeing 757-200, emphasizing security. The aircraft’s structure supports visibility for easier detection of threats. It contains systems that alert the crew to possible threats from the air and ground.
Both aircraft include undisclosed security and defense systems. The C-32 is equipped with navigation and collision-avoidance technologies. The Qatar-donated jet, priced at around $400 million, lacks some standard presidential transport defenses, such as heat-seeking missile protection.
The C-32s and VC-25s have long been in service, with new Boeing replacements expected by 2028.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Ben Kelly and Cristina Diciu.
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