AIR FORCE ONE

You would expect the president of the US to travel in style. For longer journeys, he takes to the skies in one of two specially adapted aircraft. When the head honcho is on board, the aircraft is called Air Force One. Both planes look like standard Boeing 747s on the outside. Inside is a staggering array of secret
technologies and a variety of luxury rooms to ensure the president is kept safe and comfortable at all times. Welcome aboard!

HISTORY

Guess Where II and Sacred Cow

The first aircraft configured for presidential use was a C-87A (Liberator Express) called Guess Where II, but concerns about the C-87 safety record relegated it to use by senior members of the White House staff, including First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt on her goodwill tour of Latin America.

In its place, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster (VC-54C) was configured for the president and nicknamed Sacred Cow. It had a sleeping area, radio telephone, and an elevator to raise President Franklin Roosevelt into it in his wheelchair (but FDR used the plane only once). This airplane is now housed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Independence

In 1947, President Truman replaced the Sacred Cow with a Douglas DC-6 Liftmaster (VC-118) named Independence after his hometown. Its nose was painted to look like a bald eagle. Its aft fuselage was converted into a stateroom. And the main cabin could seat 24 passengers or could be made up into 12 sleeper berths. This airplane is now housed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Columbine II and III and Aero Commanders

In addition to the Independence, Eisenhower used two Lockheed C-121 Super Constellations (VC-121E) called Columbine IIand Columbine III and two small Aero Commanders.

Special Air Mission 970, 971, and 972

In 1958, Eisenhower added three additional aircraft into the executive branch service. These were Boeing 707 (VC-137) aircraft designated SAM 970, 971, and 972. These were the first presidential jet aircraft.

Special Air Mission 26000 and 27000

During the Kennedy administration, SAM 26000, a Boeing 707 (VC-137) went into presidential service. Influential industrial designer Raymond Loewy designed the new livery (the exterior color scheme) and the interiors. President Johnson took the oath of office on board SAM 26000, and the airplane continued to serve presidents up to Bill Clinton until 1998. It was replaced as the primary executive aircraft in 1972 by SAM 27000, another VC-137, which served until 2001. This airplane is now housed at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.

Special Air Mission 28000 and 29000

In 1990, the two Boeing 747 (VC-25A) aircraft used today were delivered (having been ordered by Ronald Reagan). The same livery was used, but the interiors were selected by Mrs. Reagan.

A new Air Force One is scheduled to go into service in 2017. The likely candidates are a Boeing 747-8 and a Boeing 787.

Personnel and passengers

A standard jumbo jet can squeeze in more than 400 passengers, as well as a large crew. Air Force One carries 70 passengers at the most, and has a crew of 26. Besides reporters, the passengers include the president’s personal staff and any VIPs invited aboard.

Defense systems

Air Force One is equipped with devices to provide maximum protection. These are the aircraft’s most highly

guarded secrets, but we know they include “electronic countermeasures” (ECMs), designed to jam enemy radar so that the plane effectively becomes invisible.

Getting connected

On board, the sophisticated electronic communications and defense systems mean the aircraft has twice the

amount of wiring of a standard jumbo—more than 175 miles (380 km) of it. The wiring is specially encased to protect it from a damaging electromagnetic pulse that would be sent out by a nuclear explosion.

Can we quote you on that?

Aside from the president’s staff and the flight crew, reporters are allowed to travel on board so that the world gets the news directly from the source. Reporters travel in the rear of the aircraft and have their own phones and computer terminals so that they can send their news reports to editors on the ground.

Hails to the chefs

Kitchen staff can prepare up to 100 meals at once in two large galleys. The aircraft’s freezers contain enough food to keep passengers fed for up to a week. If food runs out, the plane lands and stewards sneak out to  local grocery stores, selecting them at random to avoid any chance of the president’s food being poisoned.

Presidential suite

The president’s rooms are all on the mid-level of the plane, in the aircraft’s nose.

Fuel tanks and engines

The four engines and the fuel tanks in the wings are Air Force One’s most vulnerable spots. The fuel tanks can hold more than 50,000 gallons (200,000 liters) of flammable fuel, so they are protected with infrared units that can detect the heat of incoming bullets or missiles and fire flares to intercept them.

We've got you covered…

Keeping the president safe is top priority. Dangers could come from inside Air Force One as well as outside. Secret service agents are hidden throughout the aircraft to seize terrorists or would-be assassins should they manage to sneak on board. Most agents hide near the president’s suite.

Ups and downs

Air Force One has its own retractable stairs at the front and rear, so it does not have to rely on local airport

facilities, which could be a security risk.

President’s “me” time

The president has his own personal suite of rooms, including a bedroom, gym, shower room, and office. US

presidents say they have more privacy on Air Force One than when they are on the ground.

Hand-picked pilots

Air Force One crew members are very carefully selected. Each pilot has a long and distinguished flying career, and is thoroughly checked to be sure he poses no security risk.

The upper level is the focus of Air Force One’s highly sophisticated electronics. The communications

center is here, with connections for 87 telephones, dozens of radios and computers, and 19 TVs.

The middle level is the passenger area, with galleys, the medical room, and the president’s personal suite.

The lowest level is the cargo space. It also contains large freezers, where food is stored for up to 2,000 meals.

AIRCRAFT TYPE

There are two identical Air Force One planes, SAM-28,000 and SAM-29,000.

-> Each one is 64 ft (19.4 m)—higher than a five-story building.

-> They have more than 4,000 sq ft (370 sq m) of cabin space.

-> Each one weighs a massive 400 tons (360 metric tons).

-> They can fly at more than 600 mph (1,000 kph).