Trump Switched to Older Air Force One in Turkey After 747-8 Threat
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 24
Trump Switched to Older Air Force One in Turkey After 747-8 Threat
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 24
Summary
US officials detected a credible threat from Iranian proxy forces during the NATO summit, prompting the Secret Service to recommend Trump leave Turkey on the older Air Force One.
The threat was aimed at Trump and whichever aircraft he used, not specifically the new Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8, according to the New York Times.
That helps explain why Trump arrived in Ankara on the 747-8 but later flew part of the trip home on the legacy plane after an unscheduled stop at RAF Mildenhall.
The episode sharpens scrutiny of the donated 747-8, which Trump has acknowledged lacks the older Air Force One's defensive systems and had pushed to put into service quickly.
It also lands as Trump weighs tougher action on Iran after a ceasefire breakdown, while still saying Friday that talks with Tehran remain possible.