politics
The aircraft involved in Trump's plan to thwart Iranian assassination plot
The Secret Service’s elaborate plan to safeguard President Donald Trump due to an increased threat landscape following U.S. strikes on Iran last month meant flying him out of Turkey on the type of plane that the vice president, first lady, and Cabinet officials generally use.
TL;DR
- President Trump flew out of Turkey on a C-32A aircraft, not the usual Air Force One, due to an increased threat landscape.
- The C-32A is a military version of the Boeing 757-200, typically used by the vice president, first lady, and Cabinet officials.
- A new Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar, intended for presidential transport, is undergoing retrofitting and may lack certain defensive capabilities.
- The gifted aircraft is meant to serve as a 'bridge' until two new VC-25Bs enter service.
- Trump cited giving U.S. troops in the U.K. a chance to 'tour the Aircraft' as a reason for using the older Air Force One for his departure from Turkey.