President Trump exchanged aircraft through an elaborate procedure while departing a NATO summit in Ankara last month in response to intelligence indicating a credible Iranian threat, multiple US news organizations reported citing unnamed officials.
According to the Washington Post, Trump boarded Air Force One in full view of media cameras before being transported via a catering truck to a smaller C-32A military aircraft stationed on the opposite side of the airport tarmac. Journalists and some White House staff aboard the presidential jet were instructed to close window shades and were not informed of the president’s departure. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth separately boarded the C-32A using external stairs to maintain the appearance of a normal flight operation.
The aircraft swap occurred on 8 July as Trump was leaving Turkey. He had previously arrived in Ankara aboard a newer Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar but had announced his intention to depart on the older Air Force One “for old time’s sake.” Intelligence officials briefed CBS News that the US had detected a credible Iranian threat to launch a missile at the aircraft. The White House declined to formally confirm the incident.
The maneuver took place a day after the US conducted renewed military operations against Iran amid deteriorating diplomatic negotiations between the two nations. During a subsequent flight aboard the Qatari-donated jet en route to the United States, Trump acknowledged threats from Iran, characterizing himself as the country’s “number one target,” but made no reference to the plane exchange. White House communications officials have not directly addressed the reports but emphasized that the new Air Force One incorporates advanced security systems designed to protect the president and staff.
The incident has raised ongoing questions about security measures on the newly gifted aircraft, with previous reporting indicating that the Secret Service had recommended the aircraft swap. The $400 million Boeing 747-8 has undergone months of retrofitting and is scheduled to receive additional upgrades expected to take approximately one month to complete later in the year.
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