President Donald Trump returns from a NATO summit in Turkey on an older Air Force One aircraft rather than the newly refurbished jet donated by Qatar that he used to arrive, according to multiple outlets. The switch happens unexpectedly as the U.S. and Iran resume hostilities marked by renewed exchange of strikes. Trump provides limited explanation for the travel change, saying he will fly on the legacy aircraft “for old time’s sake,” while reports also say both planes are expected to make an unscheduled stop at Royal Air Force Mildenhall in the U.K., a base associated with U.S. forces.
Several sources report the decision quickly raises questions about the security and defensive systems of the newer Qatar-gifted and retrofitted aircraft. Some coverage points to images of the newer jet suggesting it may not include certain missile detection and countermeasure capabilities reportedly present on older Air Force One configurations. Other reports describe the president’s departure from Turkey in the older aircraft with the Secret Service coordinating the itinerary.
