President Trump left the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, earlier this month aboard the older Air Force One jet instead of the newer Boeing 747-8 plane donated by Qatar. U.S. officials told CBS News that this decision followed detection of a credible missile threat from Iran and allied proxy groups targeting the president's aircraft.

Trump initially flew to Ankara on the new $400 million Air Force One, which the U.S. accepted as a gift from Qatar last year and retrofitted for presidential use. However, he departed Ankara to the United Kingdom on the older plane before switching back to the newer model for the final leg of his return to the United States. This swap raised questions about the security of the newer plane.

CBS News reported that the Secret Service advised using the older plane as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict. Sources familiar with the matter explained that the older Air Force One jets are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion tactics to misdirect threats.

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."

The initial report of threats from Iranian proxies was first published by The New York Times. U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News that a credible plot to fire a missile at the plane was detected. The president has acknowledged possible Iranian threats to his safety amid the ongoing conflict, noting on Truth Social earlier this month that 1,000 missiles were involved in the broader tensions.

Sources