Secret Maneuver at Ankara Airport
To counter a credible Iranian missile threat, President Trump employed a covert tactic during his departure from a NATO summit in Turkey, utilizing a catering truck to discreetly board a smaller military plane after initially boarding Air Force One.[S1][S4]
Upon arriving in Ankara on July 8 via a Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8, Trump opted to depart on the legacy Air Force One. However, after publicly boarding the older jet, he was covertly transferred to a C-32A, a modified Boeing 757, using a catering truck as a discreet exit method.[S1][S4]
Decoy Flight and Aftermath
To deceive potential threats, a decoy Air Force One took off with journalists and staff on board, while Trump secretly flew to England on a C-32A aircraft.[S4][S1]
After landing, Trump reboarded the legacy Air Force One briefly, then transferred to the new Qatari-donated jet for the return to Washington. During the flight, he told reporters they were on a 'dangerous flight' due to 'sleazebags', and that he was Iran's 'number one target'.[S1][S4]
Official Responses and Security Concerns
According to officials, the new Air Force One boasts cutting-edge technology and robust security measures. While press secretary Karoline Leavitt assured the plane's safety, she also mentioned that it will undergo further enhancements later this year.[S1][S4]
The secret switch came after U.S. intelligence detected a specific threat from Iran, following U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets. CBS News had previously reported on the threat, and The New York Times noted Secret Service concerns about the Qatari-gifted jet. The Justice Department is investigating leaks of classified information.[S1][S5]
