Then came a VC-118, nicknamed the "Independence,” which transported President Harry S. Truman during the period 1947 to 1953. It was nicknamed “Independence” after President Truman’s hometown, Independence, Missouri.
The Sam 26000 aircraft, shown above along with SAM 27000 are the most Iconic presidential aircraft to date. Both C-137C's were part of a fleet of aircraft maintained by the Military Airlift Commands' 89th Military Airlift Wing, Andrews 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.
In May 1963, on a trip to Moscow with a U.S. delegation, aircraft SAM 26000 set 14 speed records, including the Washington to Moscow record of 8 hours, 38 minutes, 42 seconds.
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.
JFK arrives in Houston on Nov,21 1963
President Richard M. Nixon used aircraft SAM 26000 extensively during the first four years of his administration.
SAM 26000 at El Toro MCAS while visiting San Clemente
His most widely heralded trips included the around-the-world trip in July 1969, to the Peoples Republic of China in February 1972, which I was a part 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.
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
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.
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| President Ford enroute to Europe 1975 |
President Jimmy Carter made his first trip aboard aircraft SAM 27000 on March 16, 1977, when he visited three states, including New York where he addressed the United Nations General Assembly. His first overseas trip was made to England and Switzerland in May 1977.
In December 1977 and January 1978, President Carter flew to Poland, Iran, India, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, France, and Belgium. He flew to Venezuela, Brazil, Nigeria and Liberia in March 1978; Panama in June 1978; the Federal Republic of Germany in July 1978; Israel in March 1979; Austria, Japan, and Korea in June 1979; and Italy, Yugoslavia, Spain, and Portugal in June 1980. /
Ronald Reagan was SAM 27000's most frequent flyer, flying longer and farther than all the other presidents who flew on it, traveling more than 675,000 miles aboard it. Reagan used Air Force One to travel to all parts of the world to pursue his ambitious diplomatic goals, taking three trips to Asia, six to Europe, and twelve trips to foreign places in the Western Hemisphere. Reagan flew to three of his four summit meetings with Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev aboard SAM 27000: Geneva, ReykjavÃk, and Moscow (one was held in Washington, D.C.). /
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.
Present day presidential air transport fleet consists of two specially configured Boeing 747-200B's -- tail numbers 28000 and 29000 -- with the Air Force designation VC-25. When the president is aboard either aircraft, or any Air Force aircraft, the radio call sign is "Air Force One."
Principal differences between the VC-25 and the standard Boeing 747, other than the number of passengers carried, are the electronic and communications equipment, self-contained baggage loader, front and aft air-stairs, and the capability for in-flight refueling.
Accommodations for the president include an executive suite consisting of a stateroom (with dressing room, lavatory and shower) and the president's office. A conference/dining room is also available for the president, his family, and staff. Other separate accommodations are provided for guests, senior staff, Secret Service and security personnel and the news media.
Two galleys provide up to 100 meals at one sitting. Six passenger lavatories, including disabled access facilities, are provided as well as a rest area and mini galley for the aircrew. The VC-25 also has a compartment outfitted with medical equipment and supplies for minor medical emergencies.
The first VC-25A -- tail number 28000 -- flew as "Air Force One" on Sept. 6, 1990, when it transported President George Bush to Kansas, Florida and back to Washington, D.C. A second VC-25A, tail number 29000 transported Presidents Clinton, Carter, and Bush to Israel for the funeral of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
Tail number 29000 also carved its name in history on September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush traveled to Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida, where he received news that two planes had flown into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. President Bush was rushed back to the airport where he flew to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. While enroute from Florida to Louisiana, the pilots were told there was a plane approaching. Fearing the unknown plane was hijacked, Air Force One altered its course; but ultimately, decided to continue on to Barksdale. (The second plane turned out to be harmless.) The President went from Barksdale Air Force Base to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska; however, he insisted on returning home to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Many of the important decisions made that day were made on board Air Force One. The aircrew safely returned the President and staff members back to Washington, D.C. despite increased threats. President Bush is pictured below visiting Ground Zero on September 14, 2001
President Bush on SAM 2800 visits the World Trade Center South Tower in New York City
President Bush spent two and a half hours in Iraq visiting with the troops and other dignitaries. Take-off from Baghdad International Airport was just as dangerous. Everyone on the plane was told to keep the lights out and maintain telephone silence. Once Air Force One had climbed to a safe altitude, reporters on board were free to file reports about the trip.
SAM 28000 and SAM 29000 continued to transport President Obama his family and staff throughout his term in office. President Obama made a total of 445 times that he has flown aboard the familiar, eye-catching blue and white U.S. government airplane with the presidential insignia emblazoned on the side.
The 2018 North Korea–United States Singapore Summit was a summit meeting between North Chairman Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump, held at the Capella hotel, Sentosa, Singapore, on June 12, 2018. It was the first-ever meeting between leaders of North Korea and the United States. President Trump shakes hands with Kim Jong Un at the President Trump and Kim Jong Un at the DMZ in 2019
President Trump made history by becoming the first sitting U.S. president to step onto North Korean soil
President Donald Trump's visit to see the fireworks at Mount Rushmore on July 3, 2020 was his second visit to South Dakota since becoming president in 2016. Trump is the 16th president to visit South Dakota.
Today, these aircraft are operated and maintained by the Presidential Airlift Group and are assigned to Air Mobility Command's 89th Airlift Wing located at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. The VC-25A continues the unique mission of presidential travel, upholding the proud tradition and distinction of being known as "Air Force One."
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