US President Donald Trump was reportedly moved from Air Force One to another military aircraft during his departure from a NATO summit in Turkey last month after American intelligence identified a credible Iranian threat against his aircraft.
According to reports by The Washington Post and CBS News, Trump appeared to board the presidential plane at Ankara airport on July 8 in front of television cameras.
He was then discreetly transferred to a smaller C-32A military aircraft in an operation designed to conceal his whereabouts.
The C-32A, a modified Boeing 757 commonly used by senior US officials, was positioned away from the area where Trump had initially boarded.
A catering vehicle was reportedly raised to the aircraft, allowing the president to leave the visible plane without attracting attention.
US officials cited by CBS said intelligence agencies had identified a credible possibility that Iran could launch a missile against the aircraft carrying Trump.
White House officials have not confirmed that the aircraft exchange took place.
However, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said the recently acquired presidential aircraft was equipped with advanced protective features intended to safeguard the president and his staff.
President Trump had arrived in Turkey aboard the newer Boeing 747-8 supplied by Qatar.
Before leaving the summit, he had publicly said he would travel on the older Air Force One aircraft, describing the decision as being made “for old time’s sake.”
While journalists and some White House personnel boarded the older presidential aircraft, they were reportedly instructed to keep the window blinds shut.
They allegedly remained unaware that President Trump had already been transferred to the C-32A.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly entered the smaller aircraft separately using external stairs, helping maintain the appearance that the president was travelling on the expected aircraft.
President Trump’s military aircraft subsequently flew to Britain, where he reportedly transferred back to the older Air Force One before continuing his journey to the United States.
He was later seen leaving the presidential jet at RAF Mildenhall.
The exact circumstances surrounding the second aircraft transfer have not been disclosed.
During his journey, President Trump acknowledged the danger posed by Iran but did not reveal that he had reportedly been moved between aircraft.
Responding to questions about why reporters had been asked to close the window shades, President Trump said they were “probably on a dangerous flight” because of people he described as threats.
He also said he faced persistent danger and claimed to be Iran’s “number one” target.
US authorities had previously received intelligence indicating a specific danger to President Trump or an aircraft carrying him.
Security concerns surrounding the Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8 had already been reported.
The New York Times said Secret Service officials had advised President Trump to use another aircraft following the NATO summit.
The reports have also triggered a Justice Department investigation into alleged unauthorised disclosures of classified or sensitive information.
Several New York Times journalists were reportedly ordered to give sworn testimony as part of the inquiry.
The United States has spent months modifying the approximately $400 million Boeing 747-8 for presidential use.
Older Air Force One aircraft are equipped with sophisticated defensive technology, including systems reportedly capable of disrupting incoming missile threats.
It remains uncertain which of those protective capabilities are currently installed on the Qatar-provided aircraft.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the new presidential plane was safe for Trump’s use but would undergo further upgrades and enhancements in the autumn, with the work expected to take about a month.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong