Air Force One 26000 and 27000 (1962-2001)
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Type Of Activity
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Presidential Transport
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Location
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Location
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Worldwide
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Date of Activity
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Jun 1962 to June 2001
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Coordinates
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33°40′34″N 117°43′52″W
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The primary presidential aircraft, number SAM s Air Force Base, Md.
When the president is aboard either aircraft, or any other Air Force aircraft, the radio call sign "Air Force One" is used for all communications and air traffic control identification purposes.
Principal differences between the C-137C and the standard Boeing 707 aircraft are the electronic and communications equipment carried by the presidential aircraft, and its interior configuration and furnishings. Passenger cabins are partitioned into several sections: a communications center, the presidential quarters, and a staff/office compartment. There is limited seating for passengers,
including members of the news media.
Background
Aircraft SAM 26000 is the most famous and widely known Air Force aircraft. It joined the presidential fleet on Oct. 12, 1962.
Originally painted red the Kennedys had the aircraft redesigned into the iconic blue it is today |
President Kennedy and the First Lady arrive at a rally in Houston |
This was the same aircraft in which President John F. Kennedy flew to Dallas, Texas, on Nov. 22, 1963, and in which his body was returned to Washington, D.C., following his assassination.
LBJ becomes President aboard SAM 26000 |
LBJ visits Vietnam in 1965 unannounced while attending the Manila Summit Conference |
In 1967, Don Cammel was departing Camp David for Andrews AFB
to await departure of AF-1 to the LBJ Ranch. He was a month shy of 21 years
old, and really didn't understand the magnitude of flying on AF-1 as a
passenger with the President on board. He blinked when Lady Bird was asking if
anyone played Bridge, so he ended up became her partner in the back Suite for a
Bridge game enroute to the Ranch (landed at Randolph AFB). He still remembers
that first trip TDY like it was yesterday. During the Bridge game, He was so
focused on the cards, he never saw the President walk past their table multiple
times.
President Richard M. Nixon used aircraft SAM 26000 extensively during the first four years of his administration.
Air Force One at El Toro MCAS while visiting San Clemente |
My first experience in working with SAM 2600 was while I was assigned to San Clemente in 1970 our detachment worked all of the arrivals and departures at El Toro, We plugged in the ramp phone and the other circuits into the nose of SAM 2600 for the onboard telephones to connect the aircraft to the San Clemente switchboard. When the President departed we disconnected all of the phones.
His most widely heralded trips included the around-the-world trip in July 1969, to the Peoples Republic of China in February 1972, and to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in May· of that same year.
Aircraft SAM 27000 has established its own history and reputation. This aircraft was accepted by the Air Force on Aug. 4, 1972 and was placed into service after nearly 200 hours of service testing and evaluation. It was first used by President Nixon on Feb. 8, 1973.
His most widely heralded trips included the around-the-world trip in July 1969, to the Peoples Republic of China in February 1972, and to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in May· of that same year.
President Nixon dubbed SAM 2600 the Spirt of 76 a short time before leaving for Beijing |
President Gerald R. Ford first used aircraft SAM 27000 on Aug. 19, 1974, when he flew from Andrews Air Force Base to Chicago to address the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention.
He later traveled overseas on a 7-day State visit to the Far East and visited Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, Seoul, Korea, and Vladivostok, Russia.
President Ford arrives in Chicago Note: The state of the art Ramp Phone |
President Ford on one of his overseas trips on SAM 27000 in 1975 |
Also, in May 1975, he made his first trip to Europe, visiting Belgium, Spain, Austria, and Italy. In July and August 1975, President Ford returned to Europe to visit the Federal Republic of Germany, Poland, Finland, Hungary, and Yugoslavia. He flew to France in November 1975; and to the Peoples Republic of China, Indonesia, and the Philippines in December 1975.
President Jimmy Carter made his first trip aboard aircraft SAM 27000 on March 16, 1977 |
On Feb. 19, 1981, President Ronald W. Reagan first flew in aircraft SAM 27000 for a brief trip to Santa Barbara, Calif. He returned to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Feb. 22, 1981. In March 1981, President Reagan flew to Canada.
President Reagan stops by the Communications Center aboard SAM 27000 |
President Reagan aboard SAM 27000 |
The Reagans' last flight aboard the plane was on January 20, 1989, when the now-former President and First Lady flew back to California.
The Presidential Aircraft SAM 27000 with the Air Force designation C-137C. was officially retired in 2001 and has been on display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library since 2005.
SAM 27000 at the Reagan Library |
SAM 27000 Cockpit |
USAF VC-137C Communications Systems Operator using Kleinschmidt terminal (1970s or early 1980s) |
Specifications
Primary function: Presidential transportation
Prime contractor: The Boeing Company
Thrust: 18,000 lb. each engine
Power plant/manufacturer: Four Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3B turbofan engines
Power plant/manufacturer: Four Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3B turbofan engines
Dimensions: wingspan 145 ft. 9 in, length 152 ft. 11 in, height 42 ft. 5 in
Speed: 540 mph
Ceiling: 42,000 feet
Range: 7,140 miles
Load: up to 50 passengers
Crew: 18
Maximum takeoff weight: 336,000 lb
Status: Retired
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