Growing Problems With Air Force One

A model of the proposed paint scheme of the next generation of Air Force One is on display during a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and President Sergio Mattarella of Italy in the Oval Office of the White House October 16, 2019 in Washington, DC.  

CNN: Two Air Force Ones, one big mess for Boeing 

Did you know there are actually two Air Force Ones? (Should that be Airs Force One?) It's true — POTUS gets two planes, and technically Air Force One is designated as whichever jet the president is flying on.

More fun facts: Boeing was due to deliver two new presidential 747s soon, but they are wildly over budget and behind schedule.  

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WNU Editor: Its too late .... CEO: Boeing Should Have Rejected Trump’s Air Force One Deal (Defense One). 

Growing Problems With Air Force One  

Boeing is struggling to hire skilled workers to finish building presidential Air Force One jets, risking further delays -- Insider  

Boeing's New Air Force One Risks Delay Over Tight Labor Market - U.S. Watchdog -- Reuters  

Boeing Can’t Find Enough Workers to Build the New Air Force One -- Defense One  

Biden kills Trump's paint job plan for Air Force One -- Axios  

The new paint job Trump demanded for Air Force One could overheat the planes because it's too dark, requiring costly alterations -- Insider

Two Empty Tequila Bottles Found Inside Top Secret New Air Force One Jumbo Jet Being Built At Boeing's San Antonio Factory

This is a rendering of the next Air Force One, currently under construction, with the new paint scheme that Trump proposed while serving as president 

Daily Mail: Boeing launches urgent probe after two empty TEQUILA bottles are found inside top secret new Air Force One jumbo jet being built at its Texas factory 

* Two empty tequila bottles found were found on one of the the next Air Force One jets, which is currently under construction at Boeing's San Antonio factory 

* Boeing told Wall Street Journal that it launched an internal probe and said it was a personnel matter 

* Building the next Air Force One is considered to be the 'highest national priority' - right up there with defense programs 

* Two identical Boeing 747s are under construction, at a cost of $3.9 billion, and will be fitted with a slew of highly-classified technology to protect the president 

Boeing launched an urgent internal investigation after empty tequila bottles were found inside a top-secret Air Force One jumbo jet being built at the company's Texas factory, according to a report. 

The two empty mini bottles of alcohol were found this month in the San Antonio factory, a source told The Wall Street Journal. 

A Boeing spokesperson told newspaper that it was a 'personnel matter,' and the company has said it's working to improve quality and manufacturing operations.  

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WNU Editor: I suspect security has been beefed-up. 

More News On Empty Tequila Bottles Being Found Inside Top Secret New Air Force One Jumbo Jet Being Built At Boeing's San Antonio Factory  

Tequila bottles found on new Boeing Air Force One jet -- FOX News/WSJ  

Empty Tequila Bottles Reportedly Found On New Air Force One Plane Under Construction -- Forbes  

Boeing In New PR Scandal After Empty Booze Bottles Found On New Air Force One Plane -- Zero Hedge

New U.S. Air Force One Jets Could Be Delayed Until 2025 And Cost More

A VC-25A Air Force One aircraft sits on a ramp at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska during a brief stop Jan. 22. The aircraft is one of two modified Boeing 747 Airliners that serve as a transport aircraft for the President of the United States. ( Josh Plueger/U.S. Air Force)  

FOX News/WSJ: Boeing's new Air Force One jets could arrive late, cost more 

Jetmaker is expected to seek more than $500 million in additional government funding Boeing Co. has estimated the new Air Force One jets it is building may arrive a year late and cost taxpayers more than planned, a top Pentagon official said. 

The aerospace giant has proposed handing over the two new presidential jets by the end of 2025, a year later than planned, acting Assistant Air Force Secretary Darlene Costello said on Tuesday during testimony before a House panel.  

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WNU Editor: The warning signs that there were problems first started last month .... Unclear when Boeing will deliver new Air Force One planes, says Air Force general (Defense News). 

More News On Air Force One Cost Overruns And Delays  

New Air Force One Could Be Delayed Another Year -- Defense One  

Boeing seeks increase in $3.9bn Air Force One fixed-price contract -- Financial Times  

Delivery of new Air Force One planes could be delayed until 2025 -- Defense News  

Boeing lifts price tag for Air Force One contract - USAF official -- Reuters

Unclear When New Air Force One Planes Are Delivered

Air Force One taxis onto the flight line at Berry Field Air National Guard Base in Nashville, Tenn., on March 6, 2020. (Tech. Sgt. Mark Thompson/U.S. Air National Guard)  

Defense One: Unclear when Boeing will deliver new Air Force One planes, says Air Force general 

WASHINGTON — Boeing will be late to deliver the two new Air Force One planes currently under construction, the U.S. Air Force’s top uniformed acquisition official said Thursday. 

Last month, Boeing reported a $318 million charge on the VC-25B program to turn two Boeing 747s into new presidential aircraft, which are given the call sign “Air Force One” when the commander in chief is onboard. 

The charges occurred just weeks after Boeing canceled its contract with GDC Technics, a Texas-based company contracted to supply VC-25B interiors, for falling more than a year behind schedule. 

GDC later countersued Boeing, alleging that Boeing was responsible for the delays.  

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Update #1: Boeing risks missing Air Force One 2024 deadline due to legal, production issues (FOX News)  

Update #2: New Air Force One Delayed by COVID, Boeing Subcontractor (DefenseOne)  

WNU Editor: Its now official .... It’s Official: New Air Force Ones Will Be Delivered Late (Defense One).

US Presidents And Their Air Force One Stairs Fiascos (Videos)

 

Sputnik: Ups & Downs: US Presidents and Their Airstairs Fiascos 

America’s Commander-in-Chief Joe Biden is making headlines this weekend; on Friday, he tumbled to his knees while boarding Air Force One to go to Atlanta. This is not something completely unprecedented in the history of US presidency, however – they are humans, after all. 

US President Joe Biden sparked a new wave of speculation about his physical shape after he stumbled three times and fell to his knees on 19 March while climbing the stairs of Air Force One. The White House communications director said that the POTUS was “just fine,” with staffers apparently blaming the windy weather for his misfortune. 

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WNU Editor: The worse fall goes to former President Ford (see above video).

National Geographic Documentary On New Air Force One

45th President of the United States Donald Trump sits for an interview about Air Force One. (National Geographic) (JBD PR) 

FOX News: National Geographic documentary on new Air Force One takes a look at design Trump helped shape 

The documentary includes an interview with Trump about the design A new National Geographic documentary will take an unprecedented look at the design and building of the new Air Force One, which former President Donald Trump helped shape. 

Fox News received an advanced look at the documentary, which will include an interview with Trump regarding the choices he made to redesign the decades-old look of the plane. Former First Lady Jackie Kennedy chose the previous color scheme, which consisted of sky blue -- what Trump referred to as a "baby blue." 

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WNU Editor: Once the documentary is online, I will put up a post on it.

Air Force One And Marine One Fleet Grounded For A Deep Clean After President Trump's Covid-19 Diagnosis

President Trump boards the Marine One helicopter to depart the White House and fly to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, October 2. REUTERS/Leah Millis 

Daily Mail: Covid crisis sweeps White House and Capitol Hill as Air Force One and Marine One fleet will be grounded for a deep clean, at least three reporters test positive and congressional and SCOTUS staff rush to testing sites 

 * The entire fleet of Air Force One and Marine One will be grounded for a deep clean in the wake of President Trump testing positive for Covid-19 

 * Two customized Boeing 747s and several Sikorsky helicopters will be out of commission during the cleaning 

 * Washington D.C. has been thrown into a tailspin since Trump's positive test, as congressional aides and SCOTUS staffers rush to sites to get tested 

 * There is concern that the White House's event of unveiling SCOTUS nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett on Saturday could be a nexus for the spread, 

 * At least three White House reporters have tested positive 

 * One journalist who tested positive had traveled with Trump on Air Force One for a mostly maskless rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, according to CNN 

 * Trump had come to the back of the plane to talk for about 10 minutes, as the reporters had to gather closely around him due to the loud noise of the aircraft 

 * Reporters have feared for months of an outbreak, citing that they frequently interact with White House aides, many of whom refuse to wear masks 

The entire fleet of Air Force One and Marine One will be grounded for a deep clean in an unprecedented measure in the wake of President Trump testing positive for Covid-19 on Thursday. 

Two customized Boeing 747s, one of which carried Trump on Thursday, and several Sikorsky helicopters, often used to transport the president from the White House to Andrews Air Force Base, will be out of commission during the cleaning. 

Washington D.C. has been thrown into a tailspin since Trump's positive test, as congressional aides and SCOTUS staffers rush to sites to get tested. 

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Update: Air Force One, Marine One crews who flew Trump get COVID tests, sanitize aircraft (McClatchy) 

WNU Editor: It must be quite a job to "deep clean" the Air Force One and Marine One fleet. And to do it quickly in the event of an emergency.

The U.S. Air Force Wants A Supersonic Air Force One

The U.S. Air Force’s Presidential and Executive Airlift Directorate has awarded a $1 million small business innovation research (SBIR) phase II contract to Exosonic to develop a low-boom supersonic executive transport aircraft. (U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/Facebook)

Washington Times: Pentagon takes first step toward building supersonic Air Force One

Air Force One is already one of the fastest passenger planes in the world — but the Pentagon wants to make it a lot faster.

The U.S. Air Force recently awarded a contract to the aviation firm Exosonic to begin developing a presidential aircraft that can travel at supersonic speeds. The research award, reportedly worth $1 million, will fund work to “modify” Exosonic’s existing plans for a supersonic commercial plane into a proposal for a presidential-grade aircraft.

In a Twitter post this week, the Air Force’s Life Cycle Management Center said the contract is intended to “develop a low-boom supersonic executive transport aircraft that will allow key decision makers and teams to travel around the world in half the time it takes now!”

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WNU Editor: The Air Force is even looking at develop a hypersonic Air Force One .... An aerospace startup just won a contract to develop an Air Force One jet that can travel at Mach 5 Here's an early look at the engine that could rocket from New York to Paris in 90 minutes. (Business Insider).

More News On The U.S. Air Force Wanting A Supersonic Air Force One

Military Moves Forward with Plan to Make Air Force One Supersonic -- Military.com
Will Air Force One Someday Go Supersonic? -- National Interest
Exosonic developing low-boom supersonic jet possibly to serve as ‘Air Force One’ -- Flight Global
US military prototyping supersonic Air Force One -- American Military News

Air Force One Had A Near Miss With A Drone While Flying Into Andrews Air Force Base Sunday Evening

Multiple people on AF1 saw what appeared to be a drone just below the plane as we were descending toward Joint Base Andrews.

We came very close to hitting it, per @SebastianAFP, who had a window seat. pic.twitter.com/WVbxT9ckG7

— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) August 16, 2020

Warzone/The Drive: Air Force One Just Had A Near Miss With A Drone According To Reporter Onboard (Updated)

The C-32A was descending into Andrews Air Force Base when the incident supposedly took place.

Reports are emerging describing a potential near miss with an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) while the C-32A that President Trump was flying on was making its final approach into Andrews Air Force base on Sunday evening. POTUS was returning from Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster New Jersey when the reported near miss took place.

AFP's Sebastian Smith reported on the incident shortly after disembarking the highly modified 757-200, stating:

"@realDonaldTrump just landed at Andrews on AF1. Shortly before, while descending, we flew right over a small object, remarkably close to the president’s plane. Resembled a drone though I’m no expert."

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WNU Editor: The President was on board a C-32A when this incident occurred.

President Trump Air Force One Flyover Daytona 500 (Video)

WNU Editor: President Trump and the First Lady taking a lap around Daytona International Speedway in the presidential limo, "The Beast". (see below)

Pentagon Budget Reveals What The New Air Force One Paint Job Will Look Like

A rendering of the Air Force One in the Pentagon's latest budget request. Department of Defense

The light-blue color scheme was introduced in the 1960s. Department of Defense

Newsweek: Pentagon Reveals Trump's Air Force One New Paint Job Will Be Red, White and Dark Blue

Part of the defense budget proposed by President Donald Trump Monday would include replacing Air Force One with a brand new Boeing 747-8. Procuring the new aircraft under the VC-25B Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization program would cost approximately $800.9 million.

With the proposed modernization of the aircraft comes a new paint scheme for Air Force One, replacing the design that has been in place the Kennedy administration in 1962. President John F. Kennedy himself help come up with the design of the plane in cooperation with industrial designer Raymond Loewy.

Trump's redesigned Air Force One would feature a red, white and blue color scheme as opposed to the current light blue and white. Some have observed a marked resemblance between the proposed new paint job for Air Force One and the planes used in Trump Shuttle, an airline owned by Trump from 1989 until 1992.

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More News On What The New Air Force One Paint Job Will Look Like

New Air Force One paint job revealed in Pentagon budget proposal -- FOX News
Pentagon budget shows what new Air Force One paint job will look like -- The Hill
The Pentagon revealed the new paint scheme for Air Force One, and people say it looks like Trump's private jet -- Business Insider

More Details Emerge On How President Trump Flew To Afghanistan And Back On His Thanksgiving Trip

Armed U.S. troops travel inside the presidential motorcade ahead of Air Force One, at the tarmac at Bagram Air Field during a surprise visit by U.S. President Donald Trump at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan on November 28, 2019. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

Warzone/The Drive: What Aircraft Snuck Trump Out Of Florida On His Way To Afghanistan For Thanksgiving?

We have the likely answer as well as some major questions as to how Air Force One was able to reach Afghanistan without aerial refuelling.

President Trump made his first visit to Afghanistan on Thanksgiving. Like the other surprise war zone Presidential visits on major holidays that have come before—most notable was probably President Bush's trip to Iraq in 2003—this was a clandestine affair. We know a good amount about how the Secret Service, the White House Military Office, and the Air Force executed the mission, but a few questions remain, including what aircraft snuck Trump out of Florida so that he could climb aboard one of two highly modified VC-25As that serve primarily as "Air Force One" at Andrews Air Force Base outside of Washington D.C. and head off to the land of America's "Forever War?"

Here is an account of how the mission was pulled off from CNN:

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WNU Editor: I have had more than my fair share of long distance flights in the past. But flying from Florida to Afghanistan and back again in two days .... even in the comfort of Air Force One .... that must have been a killer for all involved.

The Cost For A New Air Force One Is Now At $5.2 Billion

A proposed design for the VC-25B is shown in an artist's rendering. Boeing graphic.

Air Force Magazine: New Pentagon Report Pegs Air Force One Cost at $5.2 Billion

The next Air Force One jets will cost $5.2 billion overall, according to the Pentagon’s first formal acquisition report on the presidential aircraft.

That's about the same as the total cost the Air Force provided to Defense One in March, which is significantly more than previous projections. The $4.7 billion development cost listed in the service's fiscal 2020 budget covers the price of the jets, while the $5.2 billion also includes the cost of hangar construction, engineering, and more.

In 2016, the Government Accountability Office projected the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization program would total $3.2 billion through 2020, including development and procurement.

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Update: The cost of Trump's new Air Force One has skyrocketed nearly $2 billion from the original estimate (Business Insider)

WNU Editor: This new budget number is up from the 2016 estimate of $3.2 billion, and it covers the price of the two jets, hangar construction, engineering, and more.

President Trump Reveals A Redesign Of Air Force One

Daily Mail: Trump shows off new Air Force One design and says there are 'a couple of secrets' in it as Democrats threaten to block him from changing Jackie Kennedy color scheme

* New Air Force One jets are due in 2024 and Trump wants a different paint job
* He showed off a red, white and blue color scheme in the Oval Office
* It would replace the 57-year-old livery that Jackie Kennedy dreamed up with an industrial designer the year before her husband was assassinated
* That design didn't include any red, the color of the Republican Party
* Democrats in Congress are trying to hamstring Trump's ability to micromanage the details
* His favored colors look more like his own private plane than like the current presidential aircraft

President Donald Trump revealed his design this week for a new Air Force One, showing off a set of drawings in the Oval Office that replace the Kennedy-era light blue paint job with a more masculine red, white and black.

The current livery is dominated by blue, the color of the Democratic Party. Trump's re-do has splashes of Republican red.

The result resembles the color scheme of Trump's personal Boeing 757, which 2016 campaign crowds called 'Trump Force One.'

'We had different choices, here,' Trump told ABC News, saying that he had come up with the design concepts himself. Artists' renderings show variations in the color of the engines and the depth of the underbelly's dark tones.

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WNU editor: I prefer the current paint job.

More News On President Trump Revealing A Redesign Of Air Force One

Trump reveals historic redesign of Air Force One: EXCLUSIVE -- ABC News
Trump just unveiled his plan for Air Force One's new paint job, and it looks a lot like his private jet -- Business Insider
Trump shares renderings of red, white and blue Air Force One -- The Hill
Trump unveils plans for new Air Force One paint job -- Politico
Trump unveils historic change for next Air Force One -- UPI
Trump unveils plans for Air Force One redesign -- NYPost
This Is What Trump Wants the Next Air Force One to Look Like -- Jalopnik
President Trump Just Unveiled His New Air Force One Paint Job -- The Drive

New Air Force One Jets Will Be Delivering Less Than What Was Promised

Warzone/The Drive: New Air Force One Jets To Have 1,200 Nautical Miles Less Range Than Originally Required

Details about this reduced requirement, among others, have emerged along with news that the White House wants the planes delivered sooner.

A new Pentagon report to Congress reportedly says that the two future Air Force One replacement aircraft, which won't have a mid-air refueling capability, will have an approximate maximum range that is over 1,000 miles less than originally planned. The pair of modified Boeing 747-8is, which will be designated VC-25Bs, will have a number of other reduced capabilities compared to the original requirements, even as it appears that the program's costs have grown. These revelations all come as President Donald Trump's Administration is seeking to speed up delivery of the planes and maybe even change their iconic blue-and-white paint scheme.

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WNU Editor: And they will cost more.

U.S. Congress Wants The Final Say On Air Force One Paint Job

Rendering of what the VC-25Bs will look like once modified. Boeing

Defense One: Lawmakers Want the Final Say on Air Force One Paint Job

A House panel has drafted legislation that would require congressional approval if Trump wants to change the Kennedy-era livery.

Some U.S. lawmakers want the final say if President Trump decides to change Air Force One’s paint job from the blue-and-white livery that has adorned presidential planes for more than a half century.

Last year, Trump told CBS News that he wants to paint the new planes “red, white and blue, which I think is appropriate.”

But the House Armed Services seapower and projection forces subcommittee — in its review of the Pentagon’s 2020 budget request — has drafted legislation that would require the plane’s paint job to “comply with the criteria set forth in a report of the Boeing Company titled ‘‘Phase II Aircraft Livery and Paint Study Final Report’ as submitted to the Federal Government in April 2017.”

What’s in that report? Boeing declined to comment.

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WNU Editor: Putting some red would make the plane look far more "cooler".

Photos Of The First Of The Two Future Air Force One Aircraft Have Been Posted

Rendering of what the VC-25Bs will look like once modified. Boeing

Warzone/The Drive: Check Out The Future Air Force One 747 As It Leaves California To Begin Modification In Texas

The first of two 747-8is marked to become the next Air Force One aircraft has been flown to Kelly Field Annex in San Antonio to begin conversion.

In a follow-up piece to our recent article on the ballooning costs of the Air Force One replacement program, we have exclusive photos of the first of the two 747-8i airframes slated to be converted into new Air Force One aircraft—designated VC-25Bs—taking to the air for the first time since being stored in Victorville, California. In our previous piece, we noted that there was action around this aircraft, indicating that a flight may be near.

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WNU Editor: She looks sleek painted all white.

New Air Force One Costs Have Jumped Up By A Third

Air Force One on December 3, 2018, during George H.W. Bush's funeral. U.S. Army photo by Spc. James Harvey

Defense One: Air Force One: New Estimate Bumps Total Cost By Nearly One-Third

The $5.3 billion price tag is the Pentagon’s first public accounting to include the new hangars and various other costs.

The cost of buying, equipping, and preparing to operate the two Boeing 747s that will become the next Air Force One presidential transport aircraft is now pegged at $5.3 billion, nearly one-third more than the figure routinely touted by the White House, according to Air Force officials and Pentagon budget documents.

The projected price tag — included in the Pentagon’s fiscal 2020 budget proposal — marks the first time the Defense Department has provided a total cost estimate for the project. It includes not only the cost of the planes themselves, but also work to build a new hangar complex at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland and other administrative, engineering, and development work.

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WNU Editor: The new Air Force One will be delivered in 2024 .... The new Air Force One arrives in 2024. Here's what we know so far. (Popular Science).

More News On The Cost Of The New Air Force One

New Air Force One jets and hangars to cost 33% more than expected, Pentagon says -- New York Daily News
Air Force One Costs Jump by a Third to $5.3 Billion -- 24/7 Wall Street
White House Puts Price Tag for New Air Force One Jets, Hangars at $5.3 Billion -- Sputnik

President Trump Described What It Was Like Flying Into Iraq

Trump on unannounced Iraq visit: “I had concerns for the institution of the Presidency”

“...The darkened plane with all windows closed with no lights on whatsoever — anywhere. Pitch black. I’ve been on many airplanes. All types and shapes and sizes.”pic.twitter.com/6DIyxHkvuV

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 26, 2018

Warzone/The Drive: Trump "Had Never Seen Anything Like" His Secretive Flight To Iraq Aboard Air Force One

Trump has already offered up an account of his trip including what sounds like a very tense approach to the Iraqi air base.

We are learning more about President Trump's short trip to Al Asad Air Base in Western Iraq now that Air Force One is safely at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. This includes an account of the flight from Trump himself.

While fielding questions at the U.S. military forward operating location, Trump was asked if he had concerns about the trip. Here is how he replied:

"Absolutely. When I heard what ya had to go through. I mean look, I had concerns for the institution of the presidency, because, not for myself personally, I had concerns for the first lady, I will tell you. But if you would have seen what we had to go through, with the darkened plane with all windows closed, with no lights on whatsoever, anywhere, pitch black, I’ve never seen that, been on many airplanes, all types and shapes and sizes, I’ve never seen anything like it.

We're coming in and I know all of the things that were surrounding us for safety. So did I have a concern? Yeah I had a concern. But my bigger concern was maybe the people that were with me. Certainly all of them. Except maybe John Bolton. He's a pretty tough guy, he can handle it. Right John? John Can handle it."

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WNU Editor: We know only of one instance where Air Force One performed radical maneuvers over a perceived threat .... The Time Air Force One Took Evasive Maneuvers To Defend Itself Against Syrian MiGs (Warzone/The Drive).

A Look At The Air Force's Unique Navigator's Cockpit Station

Warzone/The Drive: Air Force One Has This Unique Navigator's Cockpit Station That's Unlike Any Other 747

The USAF's duo of highly modified VC-25A jumbo jets still have some surprising features even though they've been flying for nearly 30 years.

The two Boeing VC-25As that are often referred to generally as 'Air Force One'—which is really the callsign of any Air Force aircraft when the President is onboard—are incredibly capable and highly customized flying machines. From featuring one of the most elaborate flying communications systems in the world to being covered with directed-energy turrets that blind incoming heat-seeking missiles, these aircraft have taken the 747-200 design they are based on to the absolute max. And still, after decades of reporting, multiple books written and documentaries filmed, these flying symbols of America's might can still surprise. Case in point, last night I was watching the National Geographic documentary Inside Air Force One, when something briefly shown in the aircraft's cockpit grabbed my attention.

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WNU Editor: You can see the inside of the cockpit at the 2:30 mark in the above video.