In a remarkable display of presidential security, Donald Trump embarked on a clandestine military flight from Turkey to Britain last month. While the White House claimed he was aboard Air Force One the president was actually hidden in an airport catering container and transported to a smaller plane. This extraordinary operation was prompted by a credible Iranian assassination threat as reported by the Washington Post and the New York Times.
The operation unfolded during Trump’s attendance at a NATO summit in Ankara where he was seen boarding an older model of Air Force One in front of television cameras. Minutes later, he was secretly shuttled to a smaller Air Force C-32A plane via an airport catering truck, typically used for loading meals and supplies. This deception operation was confirmed by a US official familiar with the operation.
The Deception Operation
The president’s actual location was concealed from journalists and some White House staff members. The operation was triggered by a credible threat to Trump involving Iran which borders Turkey. The administration had previously claimed that Trump left Turkey on 8 July on the former Air Force One. The president had also announced on Truth Social that he would use the “former Air Force One” rather than the new plane gifted by Qatar.
The trip to the NATO summit was the first international travel for the new plane, whose speedy upgrades triggered questions over its cost and security. Before departing Ankara Trump stated on Truth Social that he would use an older, baby blue Air Force One plane “for old time’s sake” to RAF Mildenhall in Britain while the new plane stopped at the same base so US service members stationed there could tour the aircraft.
The Secret Flight Details
After Trump boarded the old Air Force One in front of cameras in Ankara he was secretly shuttled to the smaller plane, an Air Force C-32A. The deception operation was triggered by a credible threat to Trump. A similar operation had taken place in 2000, when Bill Clinton used an unmarked executive jet to fly into Pakistan while sending his formal Air Force One as a decoy.
On this occasion, the journalists who thought they were traveling with Trump on the older Air Force One reported being advised to keep their window shades in the press cabin closed. The Washington Post said aside from reporters, some White House staff also believed the president was on board. When asked later by reporters why they had to keep their shades shut during the flight, Trump said it was because they were “probably on a dangerous flight.” He went on to say: “But if I go, you go. Right?”
The C-32A carrying Trump flew to Britain arriving at around 10:20 pm local time with the older Air Force One and media arriving minutes later. Trump’s traveling press pool reported he climbed down the stairs of the older Air Force One at 10:56 pm local time. He gave press a peace sign but didn’t walk over to talk to them. He then spent some time greeting service members before walking to the new, Qatar-donated plane.
The White House Response
When asked for comment on the revelation of a secret flight on a third plane, the White House provided a statement from Steve Cheung the communications director, saying the Qatari-donated jet has been fitted with high-level security protocols that ensure the safety of the president and his staff. “As the president has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal to address those threats,” Cheung said. It was the same statement provided to the Washington Post.
The new plane, with red, white, dark blue, and gold livery chosen by Trump, is a Boeing 747 gifted to the United States by Qatar last year and refitted by defense contractor L3Harris Technologies. It was intended to serve as a temporary placement while Boeing struggled to deliver long-delayed next-generation Air Force One planes.
