President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard an older Air Force One jet instead of the newer plane donated by Qatar, due to a credible threat from Iran and allied proxy groups, according to U.S. officials who spoke to CBS News.

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

Trump flew to Ankara, Turkey, on the newly donated $400 million Boeing 747-8 Air Force One, gifted by the Qatari government and retrofitted for presidential use. However, he departed Ankara for the United Kingdom on the older Air Force One before switching back to the newer plane to return to the United States.

This switch raised questions about the security of the new plane. CBS News reported that the older Air Force One planes are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion systems 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 use of the older plane was reportedly at the suggestion of the Secret Service as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict.

Sources