The Marvel Known as Air Force One

The aircraft was delivered in 2012 for the former Qatari prime minister at a list price of $367 million.

The news media has been rife with stories about Air Force One lately. The Qatari Government has offered to gift the US Department of Defense a luxurious Boeing 747-800.  The plane would be available to President Donald Trump to use as the new Air Force One until shortly before his departure, at which point it will be transferred to the foundation responsible for the Trump Presidential Library. The Qatari gift is rumored to be nothing short of a palace in the sky, but controversy surrounds the nation accepting that gift. (More on this in a future post.)

Military officers render salutes as a mark of respect for any US aircraft which transports the President.

While luxurious might not be the ideal descriptor for the current aircraft, they are indeed very special. Since 1990, the presidential fleet has consisted of two identical and highly customized Boeing 747-200B (VC-25A) aircraft to ensure a backup in case of emergencies. The US Air Force has ordered two Boeing 747-8s to serve as the next presidential aircraft. Designated VC-25Bs, they are expected to enter service no earlier than 2027. Air Force One is the official air traffic control-designated call sign for a United States Air Force aircraft carrying the American President. The term is commonly used among the general public to denote the current modified VC-25 aircraft used to transport the President, although it actually refers to any aircraft on which the sitting President travels. 

A state-of-the-art communications bay with full audio and video capabilities is on the upper deck.

To be clear, Air Force One is more than just an airplane; it’s a flying symbol of American power and prestige. The current customized Boeing 747 is a mobile White House command center, equipped with cutting-edge communication systems. These include 87 telephones with three networks ranging from Top Secret to Non-Secure, along with multi-frequency radios for air-to-air, air-to-ground, and satellite communications. The aircraft also includes advanced security features like hardened electronics to withstand the effects of an electromagnetic pulse. Every detail was designed for functionality and security. Unlike similar jet aircraft which cruise at 550 mph, Air Force One surpasses that by reaching speeds up to 650 mph. Designed for presidential urgency, it ensures rapid national or global reach. The Boeing 747, known for its iconic design, was the foundation for Air Force One’s footprint. It showcases three distinct decks: communications equipment on the top, passenger cabins in the middle, and cargo storage on the lower level. 

The "nuclear football" is carried by a military aide and follows the president even on Air Force One.

A special case, known as the "nuclear football," containing launch codes and critical information, travels with the President. It's carried by a designated military aide and must be readily accessible at all times. The football ensures the President has the means necessary to authorize nuclear action. This highly secure briefcase, carried by a military aide who is always in the President's vicinity, contains a "Black Book" with retaliatory options, a book listing classified site locations, a folder with procedures for the Emergency Broadcast System, and a card with authentication codes.  The football enables the President to communicate with the Pentagon and other military headquarters, authorize military action, and make quick decisions in a crisis. It contains the strategic plans and communication systems necessary for the President to authorize a nuclear strike at any time, from anywhere.even when traveling eight miles above the Earth at near supersonic speeds aboard the presidential aircraft.

While it has a range of 7,800 statute miles, Air Force One is capable of being refueled mid-air.

Air Force One enhances mobility and access with several entrances and retractable stairways. These features allow crew members seamless movement between the aircraft’s three layered decks, facilitating speed and efficiency during flight. Akin to the cinematic depiction in the Harrison Ford movie Air Force One, the current pair of VC-25A-modified 747-200s have aerial refueling capabilities. This allows the jumbo jets to receive fuel inflight from an aerial tanker such as the Boeing KC-46. This complex emergency protocol ensures the plane can refuel without landing, a marvelous capability for urgent situations. Mid-air refueling is a marvel of aviation technology, involving an extended pole from the aircraft, serving as a conduit for fuel from a flying tanker. This allows the plane to receive fuel and continue its journey without touching down. 

The president's office space on Air Force One is  often referred to as the "flying Oval Office".

The aircraft has 4,000 square feet of interior floor space. Accommodations are geared to cater to the President's needs and include a private suite with an office, bedroom, and bathroom, as well as a conference/dining room for guests and staff. Additionally, the plane features a medical suite with a doctor permanently assigned and an emergency operating room. The accommodations also include work and rest areas for presidential staff, media representatives, and Air Force crews, along with secure communication systems. The aircraft features armored windows and soundproofing and a cargo hold with a self-contained baggage-handling system. There are also two food preparation galleys onboard.

President Trump routinely hosts impromptu press conferences when traveling aboard Air Force One.

Air Force One can accommodate a total of 102 people, including 76 passengers plus a crew of 26. This includes the President, his guests, staffers, Secret Service, and the traveling press Their section is in the back of the plane and has seats that resemble those on a commercial airliner, though they are generally more luxurious with leather upholstery. Only those journalists employed by companies selected by the White House Press Office fly on Air Force One and each person is personally qualified and cleared by the Secret Service for safety and security.The networks, papers or companies of the traveling press corps pay the government the cost of a First Class ticket at a rate determined by averaging the same ticket on three commercial carriers. Even those who don't have to pay airfare to fly on Air Force One still have to pay for their meals. Very few ride completely free. And while the United States Air Force has guidelines regarding alcohol consumption, there's no specific limit for those traveling on Air Force One. The Air Force generally encourages responsible drinking, however, with guidelines suggesting no more than one drink per hour and no more than three drinks per occasion. 

Air Force One is so much more than a beautiful 747. It’s  powerful symbol of the country’s strength and the executive authority of the President.  As such, it's become somewhat of a . national monument in its own right

Until next time…safe travels.