President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard the older Air Force One jet rather than the newer $400 million Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar, after U.S. officials detected a credible missile threat from Iran and allied proxy groups targeting the president's plane. The threat was first reported by The New York Times and confirmed by CBS News.

Trump initially flew to Ankara, Turkey, on the newly donated Air Force One, which had undergone months of retrofitting to prepare it for presidential use. However, due to the credible threat, he flew from Ankara to the United Kingdom on the older Air Force One before switching back to the newer plane for the remainder of his trip back to the United States. This swap raised questions about the security of the new aircraft.

CBS News reported that the decision to use the older plane was made at the suggestion of the Secret Service as a precaution amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict. Sources familiar with the matter told CBS News that the older Air Force One jets are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion systems to misdirect attacks.

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."

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

Sources