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

The U.S. detected a credible plot to fire a missile at the aircraft, prompting the Secret Service to suggest using the older plane as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict. Trump initially flew to Ankara on the newer, $400 million Air Force One, which the U.S. accepted from Qatar last year and retrofitted for presidential use. However, he flew from Ankara to the United Kingdom on the older plane before switching back to the newer jet to complete his return to the United States.

The older Air Force One jets are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion tactics to misdirect threats, according to sources familiar with the matter. This swap raised questions about the security of the newer plane.

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

Sources