are there two air force ones

Full Answer

Are there 2 different Air Force Ones?

There Are Two Air Force One Planes Although it is Air Force One, the military has two planes that are designated as the official planes for presidential travel under the call sign Air Force One.

Are Air Force One and Air Force Two the same plane?

Any plane carrying the US vice president is called "Air Force Two." Similar to the president aboard "Air Force One," the designation of "Air Force Two" refers to any plane carrying the vice president, not a specific jet or model.

What is Air Force One called when the president is not on it?

When VC-25A or the currently under development VC-25B are in the air but not carrying the president, air traffic controllers may refer to them by their tail numbers, Special Air Missions (SAM) 28000 and 29000, or by a call sign of their choosing.

How many Nike Air Force Ones are there?

Description. The shoes are sold in 5 different styles, low, mid, superlow, high and super high. The mid comes with a connected strap.

What is the first lady's plane called?

The primary customers are the vice president, using the distinctive call sign "Air Force Two," the first lady, and members of the Cabinet and Congress. The C-32 is a specially configured version of the Boeing 757-200 commercial intercontinental airliner.

What is the salary of the pilot of Air Force One?

US Air Force Salary FAQs The average salary for an Air Force Pilot is $93,928 per year in United States, which is 8% lower than the average US Air Force salary of $102,198 per year for this job.

Can Air Force One shoot missiles?

While the plane's advanced avionics and defenses are classified, what we do know is that Air Force One is outfitted with electronic counter measures (ECM) to jam enemy radar. The plane can also throw heat-seeking missiles off course by ejecting flares.

Can Air Force One get shot down?

During Day 4, Air Force One was shot down by Captain Mitch Anderson, leaving President John Keeler critically wounded. Shortly after the crash, Habib Marwan and his men stole the nuclear football, a briefcase containing the locations and codes of the United States' nuclear arsenal.

Does Air Force One fly with fighter jets?

The Air Force usually does not have fighter aircraft escort the presidential aircraft over the United States but it has occurred. The first instance came during the state funeral of John F.

Do Air Force pilots fly same plane?

Military pilots are taught to fly formation early in their training, and, except when there is a scarcity of aircraft for the mission, they always fly in groups of two or more for safety and efficiency.

What kind of planes fly with Air Force One?

The presidential air transport fleet consists of two specially configured Boeing 747-200B's — tail numbers 28000 and 29000 — with the Air Force designation VC-25. When the president is aboard either aircraft, or any Air Force aircraft, the radio call sign is "Air Force One."

Do Air Force pilots fly different planes?

Air Force fighter pilots are assigned to fly either the F-15C Eagle or the F-22 Raptor. In the future, both services will have the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. And the Blue Angels fly F/A-18s and the Thunderbirds fly F-16s.

Why do we fly with the 89th Airlift Wing?

Herbert W. McConnell said the service is necessary because the aircraft offer security equipment that a public charter operator couldn't provide. "There are more requirements since September 11," he said. "We fly the Speaker of the House, whereas before we did not. There are more reasons to fly with us now."

Where do Gulfstream pilots train?

Gulfstream pilots complete their simulator training at what's called the Executive Airlift Training Center at Andrews Air Force Base. Flight attendants working on the same airplanes train with FlightSafety International in Savannah, Ga., while the Boeing crews train with Delta Airlines.

Who is the commander of the 89th Airlift Wing?

Col. James S. Wolcott, operations group commander for the 89th Airlift Wing, said the military's business case for using the jets is similar to that of many large corporations. "Some of the advantages that you find in corporate aircraft you find in transporting our nation's leaders," Wolcott said. "It saves their time versus flying on the airlines. Security is obviously a factor and has become more of a factor in the last few years.

Where is Air Force One located?

All aircraft, including the two that serve as Air Force One, are housed and maintained at Andrews, just 10 miles southeast of the White House. The wing employs 80 pilots and 89 flight attendants who are handpicked for this mission from the greater Air Force pool.

Do flight attendants receive culinary training?

A few days prior to a flight, Smith's staff is notified of the requirements and sets about preparing a menu for passengers and crew. While Smith admitted the meals might not compare in creativity or quality with what an expensive caterer could provide, flight attendants do receive culinary training and are able to put together respectable in-flight meals.

What aircraft did Eisenhower fly on?

This designation for the U.S. Air Force aircraft carrying the incumbent president was established after an incident in 1953, when Eastern Air Lines 8610, a commercial flight, crossed paths with Air Force 8610, which was carrying President Eisenhower. Initially used informally, the designation became official in 1962.

What was the first plane to bear the call sign Air Force One?

In addition, two Aero Commanders were also added to the fleet. Columbine II is the first plane to bear the call sign Air Force One.

Why are the VC-25As being replaced?

The VC-25As are to be replaced as the cost of maintaining the aging systems on their 30 year old airframes and less efficient GE-CF6 engines has begun to surpass the cost of acquiring a new aircraft. On January 28, 2015, the Air Force announced that the Boeing 747-8 would be the next presidential aircraft. On December 6, 2016, President-elect Donald Trump tweeted his opposition to the Air Force One replacement because of its high cost, "more than $4 billion". The U.S. Government Accountability Office estimated the total cost at $3.2 billion, and the U.S. Air Force's budget for the program is projected to be nearly $4 billion. In December 2016, Boeing was on contract for preliminary development worth $170 million.

What was the most popular mode of transportation in the 1930s?

By the late 1930s, with the arrival of aircraft such as the Douglas DC-3, increasing numbers of the U.S. public saw passenger air travel as a reasonable mode of transportation. All-metal aircraft, more reliable engines, and new radio aids to navigation had made commercial airline travel safer and more convenient.

Why did President Bush go to Washington?

The next day, officials at the White House and the Justice Department explained that President Bush did this because there was "specific and credible information that the White House and Air Force One were also intended targets.".

What is the VC-25?

Air Force aircraft modified and used to transport the President and a metonym for the primary presidential aircraft, VC-25, although it can be used to refer to any Air Force aircraft the President travels on.

Why did the Air Force convert to military aircraft?

Concerned about relying upon commercial airlines to transport the president, officials of the United States Army Air Forces, the predecessor to the US Air Force, ordered the conversion of a military aircraft to accommodate the special needs of the commander-in-chief.

How much does it cost to fly an Air Force One?

It costs more than $200,000 per flight hour to fly the current planes because of their age. The new Air Force One program will cost the United States $3.9 billion but President Trump will never see his proposed design changes as president -- they aren't scheduled for delivery until 2024.

Who designed the Air Force One?

The interiors have undergone a lot of changes as well. The interiors of today’s Air Force One planes, SAM 28000 and 29000, were designed by first lady Nancy Reagan, who used the American Southwest for inspiration.

How many people can fly on a VC-25A?

The VC-25A planes used as Air Force One are the most well-equipped and well-defended aircraft flying. Ready for business (with 85 phone lines) or wartime (they really can withstand a nuclear blast on the ground), today's Air Force One planes have 4,000 square feet of space for up to 76 passengers and a crew of 26. They each boast two galleys, with stocked fridges; a medical department; a supply of blood; and a well-stocked pharmacy.

What aircraft has the heaviest takeoff weight?

As these two planes reach retirement age, the Air Force has already made plans for their replacements, converted Boeing 747-8 airliners. The VC-25A have one of the heaviest maximum takeoff weights of any Boeing airliner and are the longest in its fleet (until their replacements come along, that is).

What aircraft did the USS Abraham Lincoln fly?

Navy One would be any Navy aircraft carrying the president. So far, the only Navy One aircraft was a Lockheed S-3 Viking transporting President George W. Bush to the USS Abraham Lincoln to give his now-famous "Mission Accomplished" speech.

What plane did FDR fly to the Yalta conference?

By the time FDR flew again, it was 1945 and he was headed to the Yalta conference on a specially built Douglas VC-54C nicknamed " Sacred Cow .". It wasn’t until a near-tragic in-flight mix-up in 1953 that the Air Force decided to give the president's plane a special call sign.

Why did Nixon fly on Air Force One?

President Richard Nixon turned a United Airlines DC-10 into Air Force One when he took a commercial flight from Washington, D.C., to California in 1973 to save fuel during the gas crisis. He is also the only president to take off in Air Force One but land on SAM 27000. The VC-137C carrying Nixon took off as Air Force One but changed its designation to SAM-27000 somewhere over Kansas City, Missouri. It marked the moment his resignation went into effect, and the aircraft was no longer carrying the president of the United States.

What was the first plane to carry the Air Force One call sign?

President Dwight Eisenhower’s gleaming Lockheed Constellation, named Columbine II , was the first plane to officially carry the Air Force One call sign. It was in service from 1953-1954, when it was replaced by the Columbine III. Columbine II was built as a C-121A at Burbank, California and sent to Lockheed to support the Lockheed Air Service International maintenance facility at Keflavík, Iceland. In November 1952, President-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower used the aircraft to travel to South Korea. It was converted to a VC-121A-LO standard for use by President Eisenhower in 1953.

How fast is the Air Force One?

Air Force One reaches a cruising speed of .84 Mach, which is 644 miles per hour . It’s maximum speed peaks somewhere around .9 Mach, which is 690 miles per hour. For reference, a Boeing 777 commercial jet also has a cruising speed of .84 Mach. That means, at cruising speed, with no air traffic issues, Air Force One can fly from Philadelphia to Atlanta in one hour. Now, time must be added for taking off and landing – but in air time alone, one hour from Philly to Atlanta is true. One of the cooler Air Force One facts out there.

How far can a 747-200B fly?

With the help of aerial refueling, Air Force One theoretically can traverse the entire globe. But on one tank of fuel, which is about 53,000 gallons, the aircraft can fly from Washington D.C. to Tokyo, Japan without refuel; that’s 6,735 nautical miles!

What is the tail code of the Air Force One?

Typically, that’s the Boeing 747-200B (of which there are two), with the tail codes 28000 and 29000. These jumbo jets are more significant than probably any other aircraft that’s ever existed. Of all the awesome and interesting Air Force One facts, this one might be the most important to know before moving forward!

What was the name of the aircraft that tracked Soviet submarines during the Cold War?

The multi-mission S-3 Viking carrier-based anti-submarine warfare aircraft was the only jet aircraft operated in that mission for over 30 years. With a pilot and three sensor operators, it was known to fleet crews as the "Hoover," owing to the vacuum sound of its engines, and operated day and night from big-deck carriers to track Soviet submarines during the Cold War. This particular Viking carried President George W. Bush as a passenger in 2003 to the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), and during that time was designated "Navy One."

How many telephone lines are there in the Air Force?

Three of more than 80 telephone lines inside of Air Force One.

What was the Presidential Office upgraded to after 9/11?

The office was upgraded after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks with the telecommunications equipment necessary to address the nation from the skies. A complete desk with telephones, office chairs and equipment complements the trimmings of a luxury business building office. Leather couches to lounge on while thinking and separate work surfaces complete the presidential office on Air Force One.

What is the Air Force One?

So, “Air Force One” is simply the plane flying the president.

What plane does the Vice President fly on?

Air Force Two is the radio call sign for the plane the vice president is using. Typically, the V.P. flies on a C-32A, a military plane similar to a Boeing 757.

Why does Trump fly on Air Force One?

However, as president, he has to fly on Air Force One because of the official plane’s capabilities for defense and security. Air Force One is also larger, faster and can fly for longer without refueling.

How many engines does the Air Force One have?

Although many different types of planes have been used as Air Force One, the current planes in operation are both Boeing 747-200 aircraft. It has four engines and is a successor to the Boeing 707, which President Dwight Eisenhower added to the fleet in ’58. Eisenhower also flew in Lockheed C-121 Super Constellations.

What are some interesting facts about Air Force One?

You probably still remember the 1997 action-thriller film “Air Force One” and the movie’s famous scene, when Harrison Ford, starring as the president, pulls hijacker Gary Oldman’s parachute cord and growls, “Get off my plane!”. But how much do you know about the real Air Force One, the planes (yes, ...

How high can an F-16 fly?

Air Force One also flies high — it can reach a maximum altitude of 45,100 feet, which is far above than the usual cruising altitude for commercial flights.

Why is Air Force One called Air Force One?

After the incident, the term “Air Force One” was coined to avoid any confusion about which aircraft is carrying the commander-in-chief.

What is the Air Force One?

So, “Air Force One” is simply the plane flying the president.

What plane does the Vice President fly on?

Air Force Two is the radio call sign for the plane the vice president is using. Typically, the V.P. flies on a C-32A, a military plane similar to a Boeing 757.

How many Air Force One planes are there?

There Are Two Air Force One Planes. Although it is Air Force One, the military has two planes that are designated as the official planes for presidential travel under the call sign Air Force One. The two planes serving in the Air Force One fleet today have been in service since 1990, and one of them is always ready to fly.

Why does Trump fly on Air Force One?

However, as president, he has to fly on Air Force One because of the official plane’s capabilities for defense and security. Air Force One is also larger, faster and can fly for longer without refueling.

How many engines does the Air Force One have?

Although many different types of planes have been used as Air Force One, the current planes in operation are both Boeing 747-200 aircraft. It has four engines and is a successor to the Boeing 707, which President Dwight Eisenhower added to the fleet in ’58. Eisenhower also flew in Lockheed C-121 Super Constellations.

What is the onboard electronics on a plane?

The onboard electronics are hardened to protect the plane from an electromagnetic pulse, and the plane is equipped with advanced secure communications equipment, according to the White House website. In the event of an attack on the United States, the president would have everything needed to respond.

Why does every picture of the President coming out of the airplane take place on a set of stairs?

There’s a reason why every picture of the president coming out of the airplane takes place on a set of stairs. The plane never parks at the terminal at an airport. It stays wherever it has landed so that it can take off at a moment’s notice, as needed.

What happened to Kamala Harris in 2021?

In June 2021, Air Force Two, with Kamala Harris on board, was forced to return to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland after suffering a "technical issue.". Harris, who was on her way to Guatemala, resumed her flight on a different aircraft approximately an hour and a half later.

What is the Air Force 2?

Air Force Two is the air traffic control call sign held by any United States Air Force aircraft carrying the U.S. vice president, but not the president. The term is often associated with the Boeing C-32, a modified 757 which is most commonly used as the vice president's transport. Other 89th Airlift Wing aircraft, such as the Boeing C-40 Clipper, ...

Why did Joe Biden switch planes?

In 2012 Joe Biden switched to another plane after a bird strike happened to the plane he was flying in. A similar incident in 2020 involving a bird strike in the engine during takeoff caused Air Force Two to land back at a nearby New Hampshire airport while it was carrying Mike Pence and some of his staff.

When did the 89th Airlift Wing acquire the McDonnell Douglas VC-9C?

This would prompt the 89th Airlift Wing 's acquisition of 3 McDonnell Douglas VC-9Cs in 1975 , adding to their 3 VC-137s jets used for senior executive international travel.

Which aircraft is used by the President as Air Force One?

The VC-25A, the aircraft most often used by the president as Air Force One, has also been used by the vice president as Air Force Two.

Who owned the Grumman Gulfstream II?

Domestically, non-presidential VIP travel still relied on the prop powered Convair VC-131 Samaritan aircraft until Nelson Rockefeller was named Gerald Ford's vice president in 1974. Rockefeller personally owned a Grumman Gulfstream II jet that he preferred to the much slower Convair; Rockefeller's Gulfstream II then used the " Executive Two " callsign while he was in office. This would prompt the 89th Airlift Wing 's acquisition of 3 McDonnell Douglas VC-9Cs in 1975, adding to their 3 VC-137s jets used for senior executive international travel.

What is the primary mode of transportation for the President?

When the U.S. president needs to fly to another city or country, the primary mode of transportation is a huge 747 jetliner dubbed Air Force One. But now, a panel of aerospace and defense analysts is considering trading in the famous Air Force One jet for a smaller, less expensive aircraft to transport the president.

What planes are due for replacement?

The two current Air Force One planes are due for replacement. The planes are highly customized Boeing 747-200B series jets that were purchased under President Ronald Reagan's administration and began service in 1990 under President George H. W. Bush. But because Boeing shut down its 747-200 production several years ago, it has become extremely difficult to replace the planes' parts, according to the trade publication Defense One. That's why, during his second term in office, President Barack Obama ordered a replacement fleet for the Air Force One program that will be built based on the new 747-8 series.

What is the name of the plane that the President of the United States travels on?

Technically, Air Force One is the radio call name for any plane on which the president of the United States travels. It helps avoid confusion with other planes nearby, and the naming convention was established after an incident in 1953, when Eastern Air Lines Flight 8610 flew into the same airspace as President Dwight Eisenhower's plane, ...

What plane does the President use to fly the bulletproof motorcade?

And the U.S. Air Force typically sends the president's bulletproof motorcade ahead of Air Force One in a C-141 Starlifter cargo plane so that the president has access to safe transportation at the destination as well. Air Force One can be refueled in midair.

What is the B-21 Raider?

Another proposal is to ditch the 747 for the B-21 Raider, a long-range bomber aircraft under development by Northrop Grumman. The sharp, angular design of the B-21 is based on the B-2, which was created in the late 1980s and introduced in 1997.

What did Trump say about Air Force One?

President Donald Trump has criticized the Air Force One program, saying on Twitter that upgrades and replacement costs for the aircraft are "out of control.". And last month, Defense Secretary James Mattis ordered a full review of the $3.73 billion presidential aircraft program, the Associated Press reported.

How much did Obama's Air Force One cost?

According to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) letter obtained by Judicial Watch, Obama's Air Force One cost taxpayers $206,337 every hour it flew. Building the replacement 747-8 jets will also be expensive — an estimated $3.73 billion over 12 years.

Overview

History

Planned replacement

Other presidential aircraft

Aircraft on display

Notable appearances in media

See also

External links