{"id":39818,"date":"2026-08-12T02:20:36","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T21:20:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=39818"},"modified":"2026-08-12T02:20:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T21:20:36","slug":"trumps-secret-plane-switch-how-air-force-one-protects-the-president-from-threats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=39818","title":{"rendered":"Trump&#039;s secret plane switch: How Air Force One protects the president from threats"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/politics-policy\/donald-trump\" target=\"_blank\">Trump&#8217;s<\/a> secret plane switch in Turkey is putting Air Force One&#8217;s security protocols and defensive capabilities in the spotlight.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why it matters: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2025\/05\/12\/trump-free-jet-qatar\" target=\"_blank\">Air Force One<\/a> is the call sign for any Air Force aircraft carrying the president, meaning Trump&#8217;s secret switch didn&#8217;t change the designation \u2014 but it changed the plane protecting him.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><strong>Driving the news: <\/strong>A threat from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/world\/iran\" target=\"_blank\">Iran<\/a> forced Trump to secretly switch planes, using a catering truck to move to a smaller aircraft, per the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/national-security\/2026\/08\/10\/trump-flew-secrecy-amid-iran-threat-air-force-one-became-decoy\/\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post<\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Trump flew to Turkey on a plane <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2025\/05\/21\/trump-qatar-boeing-747-plane-accepted\" target=\"_blank\">gifted by Qatar<\/a>, which was meant to serve as Air Force One. Officials said he would return on an older presidential plane because of security concerns, per <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/trump-secretly-switched-plane-turkey-air-force-one-iran-war-threat\/\" target=\"_blank\">multiple<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/08\/10\/politics\/trump-secretly-transferred-planes-security-concerns-af1\" target=\"_blank\">reports<\/a>,<\/li>\n<li>After boarding the older plane, Trump moved to a smaller Air Force C-32A, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/08\/10\/us\/politics\/trump-plane-ruse.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share\" target=\"_blank\">reports<\/a>. All three planes flew to the U.K., where Trump  joined the Qatari plane and flew home.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>When asked for comment <\/strong>Tuesday, the Air Force pointed Axios to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.af.mil\/News\/Article-Display\/Article\/4522274\/vc-25b-bridge-aircraft-arrives-at-joint-base-andrews-begins-commissioning-fligh\/\" target=\"_blank\">statement<\/a> about the Qatari-gifted plane, dubbed the &#8220;VC-25B Bridge.&#8221;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The White House did not immediately respond to Axios&#8217; request for comment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How Air Force One handles threats<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.axios.com\/BZz1_9NYc4OGA1s5PbzX7wlcnn8=\/2026\/08\/11\/1786467805215.jpeg\"> <\/p>\n<div>President Trump boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Photo: Win McNamee\/Getty Images<\/div>\n<p><strong>Context: <\/strong>Boeing 747-200Bs designated as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.af.mil\/About-Us\/Fact-Sheets\/Display\/Article\/104588\/vc-25-air-force-one\/\" target=\"_blank\">VC-25A<\/a> have served as the primary Air Force One aircraft since the &#8217;90s and are designed to withstand multiple threats. <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>EMP protection: <\/strong>The aircraft has shielding to withstand an electromagnetic pulse (often seen from nuclear detonations), per the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/about-the-white-house\/air-force-one\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\">White House<\/a>. Its airframe is reinforced with ballistic-resistant materials.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Command and control: <\/strong>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/about-the-white-house\/air-force-one\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\">White House<\/a> says the plane is fitted with &#8220;advanced secure communications equipment&#8221; to operate as a mobile command center during any attack on the U.S.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Missile threat defense: <\/strong>Air Force One contains multiple <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/air-force-one-trump-security-clearance-kendall-50f137fefa1076d4786bdacb3d4a3f25\" target=\"_blank\">defense systems<\/a> to help the plane detect any imminent threat. The <a href=\"https:\/\/comptroller.war.gov\/Portals\/45\/Documents\/defbudget\/FY2026\/FY2026_Weapons.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\">Pentagon<\/a> says the plane comes with &#8220;a self-defense system.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li><strong>In-flight refueling: <\/strong>The White House says the VC-25A can refuel while in the air, increasing the aircraft&#8217;s survival capabilities.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Protected airspace: <\/strong>Fighter jets have escorted Air Force One in the past.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What the Qatari-gifted jet has<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.axios.com\/-7qZtNgbVI1YLXYEePPs8SM2Cd4=\/2026\/08\/11\/1786467717524.jpeg\"> <\/p>\n<div>Air Force One carrying President Trump lands at Etimesgut Air Base in Ankara, Turkey, ahead of the NATO summit on July 7, 2026. Photo: Abdullah G\u00fc\u00e7l\u00fc\/AFP via Getty Images<\/div>\n<p><strong>The Qatari jet <\/strong>was first used for presidential travel July 1 and was meant to &#8220;relieve pressure&#8221; on the VC-25A fleet, per the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.af.mil\/News\/Article-Display\/Article\/4522274\/vc-25b-bridge-aircraft-arrives-at-joint-base-andrews-begins-commissioning-fligh\/\" target=\"_blank\">Air Force<\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Air Force&#8217;s replacement VC-25B program has faced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.twz.com\/air\/boeing-has-now-eaten-3b-in-air-force-one-cost-overruns\" target=\"_blank\">delays<\/a> and cost at least <a href=\"https:\/\/breakingdefense.com\/2026\/07\/boeings-air-force-one-replacement-racks-up-280m-charge\/\" target=\"_blank\">$280 million<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The plane has<\/strong> security features required for presidential travel.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Per the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.af.mil\/News\/Article-Display\/Article\/4474728\/vc-25b-bridge-program-completes-flight-testing-prepares-for-summer-rollout\/\" target=\"_blank\">Air Force<\/a>, the contractor L3Harris worked to modify the aircraft for security and communication purposes, given their experience working on the other VC-25A aircraft.<\/li>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.airandspaceforces.com\/new-bridge-air-force-one-finishes-testing-summer-debut\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\">Air Force<\/a> said the plane has a full suite of mission communications, like nuclear command-and-control, and &#8220;he aircraft underwent inspections for potential <a href=\"https:\/\/www.af.mil\/News\/Article-Display\/Article\/4474728\/vc-25b-bridge-program-completes-flight-testing-prepares-for-summer-rollout\/\" target=\"_blank\">hazard<\/a>s because it came from a foreign government.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>By the numbers: <\/strong>Air Force Secretary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2025\/06\/11\/trump-qatar-jet-air-force-one-cost\" target=\"_blank\">Troy Meink<\/a> said in June the conversion of the Qatari jet cost less than $400 million.<\/p>\n<h2>What the Qatari jet doesn&#8217;t have<\/h2>\n<p><strong>What we know: <\/strong>Many details of the Qatari-gifted plane remain unclear.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/air-force-one-trump-security-clearance-kendall-50f137fefa1076d4786bdacb3d4a3f25\" target=\"_blank\">AP<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/07\/09\/us\/politics\/new-air-force-one-defensive-countermeasures.html?eafs_enabled=false\" target=\"_blank\">New York Times<\/a> reported that the &#8220;Bridge&#8221; plane lacks the advanced antimissile capabilities of previous Air Force One models.<\/li>\n<li>A security <a href=\"https:\/\/dsm.forecastinternational.com\/2026\/07\/10\/countermeasures-system-needed-for-new-air-force-one-is-standard-issue-for-military-and-heads-of-state\/\" target=\"_blank\">expert<\/a> has specifically pointed to the absence of a laser-based countermeasure to protect large aircraft against missile threats.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The other side:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.af.mil\/News\/Article-Display\/Article\/4522274\/vc-25b-bridge-aircraft-arrives-at-joint-base-andrews-begins-commissioning-fligh\/\" target=\"_blank\">Air Force<\/a> maintains that the plane was rapidly modified to meet core Air Force One requirements.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>&#8220;The aircraft is safe, secure and equipped with the most advanced technologies necessary to meet the requirements of the presidential mission,&#8221; the Air Force says.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The bottom line:<\/strong> The secret switch underscores that presidential air security depends not just on which aircraft bears the Air Force One call sign, but on the capabilities of the aircraft itself.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Go deeper: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2026\/08\/05\/trump-marine-one-air-safety-investigation\" target=\"_blank\">Trump Marine One flight under investigation after potential safety mishap<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Editor&#8217;s note: This story has been updated with the Air Force&#8217;s response.<\/em><\/p>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>President Trump&#8217;s secret plane switch in Turkey is putting Air Force One&#8217;s security protocols and defensive capabilities in the spotlight. Why it matters: Air Force One is the call sign for any Air Force aircraft carrying the president, meaning Trump&#8217;s secret switch didn&#8217;t change the designation \u2014 but it changed the plane protecting him. Driving&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39819,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/images.axios.com\/BZz1_9NYc4OGA1s5PbzX7wlcnn8=\/2026\/08\/11\/1786467805215.jpeg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39818","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-political-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=39818"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39818\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/39819"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=39818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=39818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=39818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}