President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard an older Air Force One jet instead of the newer Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar, U.S. officials told CBS News. The decision came after U.S. intelligence detected a credible plot by Iran and allied proxy groups to fire a missile at the president's plane.
Trump initially flew to Ankara, Turkey, on the newly donated $400 million Air Force One, which the U.S. had retrofitted for presidential use. However, for his departure from Ankara to the United Kingdom, he switched to the older Air Force One jet before returning to the newer plane for the final leg back to the United States. This swap raised questions about the security of the new aircraft.
CBS News reported that the use of the older plane was recommended by the Secret Service as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict. Sources familiar with the older Air Force One jets said they 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 initial report of threats from Iranian proxies was first published by The New York Times. As tensions with Iran increase, President Trump has acknowledged potential threats to his safety, including a recent post on Truth Social referencing 1,000 missiles.
Sources
- CBS News
- The New York Times (as cited by CBS News)
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