President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard the older Air Force One jet rather than the newer Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar, due to a credible threat from Iran and allied proxy groups, U.S. officials told CBS News.

Officials revealed that the U.S. detected a credible plot to fire a missile at the plane. The threat from Iranian proxies was initially reported by The New York Times.

Trump flew to Ankara on the new Air Force One, a $400 million aircraft retrofitted to carry the president, but switched to the older plane for his flight from Turkey to the United Kingdom. He then resumed travel on the newer plane back to the United States. This swap raised questions about the security of the new aircraft.

CBS News reported that the decision to use the older plane was made at the suggestion of the Secret Service as a precaution amid ongoing tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict. The older Air Force One jets are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and deploy diversion tactics.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, "The new Air Force One is perfectly safe for the President's travels, but will receive additional upgrades and enhancements in the fall which will take approximately one month to complete. During that time, the President will fly on the old Air Force One."

As tensions with Iran escalate, President Trump has acknowledged potential threats to his safety, including a recent post on Truth Social referencing 1,000 missiles.

Sources