Air Force One

Air Force One. A flying fortress on wheels that is completely self sufficient. Two specifically modified Boeing 747 - 200B series planes that transports and protects the President of the United States. The plane that carries the president is designated as Air Force One. Along with the Stars and Stripes, Air Force One conveys the confidence of strength and freedom of the American people and is the pride of the United States. A plane that transmits as much power and prestige as the person it was designed to protect and ferry around the world.

Air Force One.

It is best described as a military version of a Boeing 747-200B. Two VC-25 jets , the Air Force designation for the plane, have been modified with state of the art navigation, communications and electronics systems to meet the requirements of the President of the United States as well as provide security. Air Force One is referred to as the "Flying White House". The president has the capacity to do anything on Air Force One that he could do in the West Wing. The tail codes for the jets are 28000 and 29000. Whenever Air Force One is carrying the president, the backup 747 tags along. Just in case another ride becomes necessary.

Defense of Air Force One.

The 747 is never left unguarded as it waits for the president on an overseas tarmac or at any U.S. airport. Tight security measures monitor every aspect of the plane's operations from the food brought on board to anyone having access to any part of the plane, inside or out. All fuel is checked before it is pumped into the plane as is all baggage loaded into the cargo hold. Anti-missile defense, infrared-missile and radar jamming technology are the only defense measures known to the public, but rest assured, the plane is equipped with electronic countermeasures and top secret aerial defenses.

History of Air Force One.

Franklin D. Roosevelt established a Presidential Pilot Office in 1944 whose sole purpose was to fly him wherever it was necessary. The first jet purchased for use by President John F. Kennedy was a Boeing 707 in 1962. It was at this time a plane bearing the President of the United States was known as Air Force One. The Boeing 707 carrying the tail code 28000 has a place in history for returning the body of JFK to Washington D.C. following his assassination in Dallas Texas on November 22, 1963. Lyndon B. Johnson was administered the oath of office as our 36^th president while the plane sat at Love Field in Dallas on that fateful day in November. A sad time in our history to say the least. The current 747 was brought into operation in 1990. Both planes are the responsibility of the Presidential Airlift Group which is part of the White House Military Office. The 747's are based at Andrews Air Force Base, MD. and assigned to the 89^th Airlift Wing Air Mobility Command.

Air Force One does not fly alone.

When the president flies, senior staff, the press, Secret Service agents and others are also on board. It is customary for several cargo planes to fly ahead of Air Force One to be available to provide for the president's needs in out of the way places.

Inside Air Force One.

Both planes are six stories high and measures 231 feet and 10 inches long. They have a wingspan of 195 feet, 8 inches. Both jets are capable of reaching a speed of almost supersonic speed at 630 mph. The interior floor space measures 4,000 square feet, with 70 seats and 26 crew members. Capacity of people on board is 102. If necessary, the plane can remain in the air for almost 14 hours and it can be refueled while in flight. The flying range is 7,800 miles.

Each remarkable Boeing 747 is equipped with two kitchens that can provide meals for 100 people, an executive suite and state room for the president, broadband Internet access, secure phone lines, fax and copy machines, satellite video and a conference room that can be soundproofed if needed. Air Force One is equipped with all the necessary features that would enable the president and his staff to conduct military operations and commands from the air during an attack on U.S. soil.

Commercial jets generally land "light" which means most of the fuel on board has been used in flight. Air Force One lands "heavy". This allows for quick take offs if conditions on the ground suddenly turns hostile as the plane lands.

Air Force One is a state of the art, two of a kind plane that carries and protects our president as he travels across this country and overseas. It is a symbol of our power and pride where ever it may land. A Boeing 747 proudly displayed at an airport on foreign soil. The United States of America written across the side of the plane along with the Seal of the President of the United States and the American flag. A powerful image carrying the most powerful leader in the world.

VC-25-Air Force One, Air Force Link

Air Force One, the White House

Inside Air Force One, History.com