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, U.S. officials told CBS News. The decision followed the detection of a credible plot by Iran and allied proxy groups to fire a missile at the president's aircraft.

Trump initially 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 flew from Ankara to the United Kingdom on the older Air Force One before switching back to the newer plane for the return to the United States.

CBS News reported that the swap was made at the suggestion of the Secret Service as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict. The older Air Force One jets are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion systems to misdirect threats, according to sources familiar with the matter.

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 the credible nature of the missile threat, underscoring ongoing security concerns for the president amid rising hostilities.

Sources