Donald Trump reportedly executed a discreet plane switch as he departed from a NATO summit in Turkey last month, according to US media. This action was part of an intricate strategy in response to a potential Iranian threat.
While the US president was seen boarding Air Force One on television, he was actually transferred to a military aircraft with the assistance of a catering truck, as reported by the Washington Post. Even journalists and some White House staff on the plane were unaware of this covert exit.
Sources informed CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, that the United States had identified a credible Iranian threat to launch a missile at the aircraft. However, the White House has not confirmed this secretive maneuver.
During the summit in Ankara, Trump had mentioned that he was Iran’s “number one target.” This stealthy action occurred a day after the US resumed military strikes on Iran following unsuccessful negotiations between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the conflict.
Trump initially arrived in Turkey aboard a newer Boeing 747-8, courtesy of Qatar, but later announced his departure would be on the older Air Force One “for old time’s sake.”
READ ALSO: Trump Warns: Replacing FIFA President Infantino Would Be a ‘Terrible Mistake’
On July 8th, footage captured him boarding the presidential jet at Ankara airport. However, the Washington Post revealed he was discreetly transported to a smaller C-32A military aircraft—a modified Boeing 757 often used by the vice president—via a catering truck raised to plane level on the side opposite to where he boarded.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth boarded the C-32A using the external stairs separately to maintain the appearance of a normal flight, as reported by the newspaper.
Journalists and some White House staff boarded Air Force One and were instructed to keep their window shades closed, unaware that the president was no longer on board.
According to a pool producer on the plane, it was unusual for the press to be asked to leave the shades down. When a photographer briefly opened one, they were quickly instructed to close it, being informed by the Secret Service—responsible for the president’s security—that it was necessary.
In a report shared by the White House Correspondents Association, the producer also mentioned that upon arrival, there seemed to be two catering trucks positioned at both ends of the plane. Additionally, their van was too far back in the airport motorcade to capture a photo of the president boarding.
Technically, “Air Force One” is the call sign for any aircraft carrying the US president. However, in this instance, the C-32A used the call sign “Reach 18,” while the jet carrying journalists retained “AF1” to uphold the deception.
Trump then traveled to the UK before heading to the US, where he reboarded the original Air Force One and was observed disembarking after landing at RAF Mildenhall. How he transitioned from the C-32A back to the traditional aircraft remains unclear.
BBC
