President Trump took what appears to be the final ride on one of the old Air Force One Boeing 747s. The VC-25A aircraft with tail number 29000 landed at Joint Base Andrews after the trip from the G7 summit in France.
White House communications director Steven Cheung and deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino posted farewell messages online. They described the plane as a faithful servant after decades of use.
The heavily modified 747-200 entered service in 1990. It supported six presidents during its time as the primary presidential aircraft.
The plane first flew under George H.W. Bush. It went on to carry Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump in his first term, and Joe Biden.
Both VC-25As will stay in the Air Force executive fleet. They could still serve as backups before planned retirement around 2029.
An interim replacement aircraft from Qatar is now in the picture. This Boeing 747-8 has completed conversion work and testing in Texas.
Reports suggest it could make its debut as early as July 3. The plane is slated for use at a 250th anniversary event at Mount Rushmore.
The bridge aircraft will operate for a short period. It will fill the gap until the dedicated VC-25B models become available.
The older VC-25A fleet has faced maintenance issues in recent times. An electrical fault earlier this year forced a change to a backup plane during one trip.
The transition highlights the need for updated presidential air transport. The Qatar-gifted jet brings a modern airframe to the role in the short term.
Aviation analysts note the high costs involved in such modifications. Estimates for equipping the interim plane run into hundreds of millions of dollars.
The classic VC-25As first flew under George H.W. Bush. Their distinctive look made them familiar sights on the world stage.
This moment closes a long chapter for the 747-based presidential jets. The interim plane brings a new livery in the preferred red, white, dark blue and gold scheme.
The aircraft served through major historical periods. It operated during the end of the Cold War, post-9/11 years, and various global crises.
White House staff accompanied Trump on the flight. They captured images and videos of the plane on the tarmac at Andrews.
The VC-25A models received extensive modifications for presidential use. These included advanced communications and defensive systems.
The interim Boeing 747-8 offers updated technology. It will handle the role until the full VC-25B replacement programme advances.
Observers watched the landing closely. Social media filled with tributes to the veteran aircraft and its long record.
The U.S. Air Force continues to manage the executive airlift fleet. Both old and new aircraft will play parts in the coming years.
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