Trump C-32A Aircraft: US President ‘Hidden in Catering Cart’ Amid Iran Threat

Trump C-32A Aircraft: Last month, after reports of an assassination threat during his trip to Turkey, US President Donald Trump quietly left the country aboard a smaller C-32A aircraft rather than using the Boeing 747-8 from Qatar.

Due to the reported threat, President Trump chose to use an older Boeing 747 instead of the jet from Qatar.

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Trump C-32A Aircraft: US President Secretly Swapped Planes on Way to UK via Catering Transport, Report Claims

A new report from The Washington Post says Trump secretly switched planes again. An anonymous US official said Trump left the older Air Force One using a catering container, which took him to a smaller C-32A aircraft for his flight to Britain.

The media and some officials believed President Trump was still on the larger, older Boeing 747.

Journalists on that plane leaving Ankara were told to keep their window blinds closed.

When reporters asked why the window shades were kept closed during the flight, Trump said it was likely because the flight was dangerous. He added that if he was taking the risk, everyone else should too.

According to The Post, Trump’s C-32A landed in Britain around 10:20 p.m. The older Air Force One and the media arrived a few minutes after.

The paper noted it was unclear how Trump switched planes. Reporters said Trump walked down the stairs of the older Air Force One at 10:56 p.m. local time.

He gave the press a peace sign but did not stop to speak. After greeting some service members, he boarded the new aircraft donated by Qatar.

Trump NATO Summit Turkey: Reports Cite Security Threat for Trump’s Aircraft Switch Despite Official NATO Tour Explanation

Trump C-32A Aircraft: While in Ankara for a NATO summit, Trump said he would use the older Boeing 747 so US military members at a British airbase could tour the new plane.

US media outlets, including the New York Times, reported that a threat from Iranian proxy forces led to the switch.

The Washington Post also released a video showing a catering truck being lowered from the older Boeing aircraft shortly after Trump boarded. The video then shows the truck moving toward the smaller C-32A jet.

Qatar Gifted Boeing 747: Mystery Surrounds Trump’s Plane Switch After UK Landing in Gifted Jet

Trump C-32A Aircraft: When both planes landed in the United Kingdom, Trump appeared to exit the larger jet.

He was then transferred to the newly updated Air Force One, which was a gift from Qatar.

It was not clear how or when Trump switched from the smaller plane back to the larger jet.

Trump C-32A Aircraft: White House Defends Safety of Qatar-Donated Jet Amid Questions Over Security Features

The switch between aircraft has raised questions about the Qatar-gifted jet, which reportedly lacks some security features found on older Air Force One planes, such as anti-missile defences.

Air Force One aircraft: Trump criticised the 1990s-era Air Force One planes as too old, so Qatar’s royal family donated a luxury airliner last year.

The new plane made its first overseas trip to Turkey on July 1. The White House defended the plane’s safety, describing it as "state-of-the-art" and equipped with advanced security. Officials said every available measure was being used to protect Trump.

Air Force One Has Been Used For This Purpose Before

Decoy aircraft have been used in the past.

A US official told the Post that Air Force One has sometimes acted as a decoy during serious threats or when the president visited dangerous places.

The Türkiye operation highlighted the seriousness of Trump’s security concerns. The most noticeable plane was not always the one carrying the most important person.

Facts To Know About C-32A Aircraft

The C-32A is a version of the Boeing 757-200 that the U.S. military uses to transport important government officials.
It seats 45 passengers and has military-grade avionics, Pratt & Whitney PW2000 engines, and winglets to improve fuel efficiency.
In August 1996, the U.S. ordered four C-32A aircraft to replace the older VC-137 aircraft.
The first C-32A was delivered to the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland in June 1998, with the rest arriving shortly after.
The C-32A is painted in the same blue and white colours as other presidential planes, with the American flag on the tail and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” on the side.
This design began during President Kennedy’s administration. The 1st Airlift Squadron of the 89th Airlift Wing operates these planes for the vice president, first lady, cabinet members, and Congress.
If the larger VC-25A is unavailable, the C-32A can serve as Air Force One. During the Biden administration, each C-32A received interior upgrades costing about $16 million.
These updates included new carpets, lighting, leather seats, wood tables, refurbished interiors, and a new seating layout. Some critics have called this spending unnecessary and “wasteful” because the planes are getting old.
The C-32A fleet has had some reliability problems. In 2018, a plane carrying First Lady Melania Trump and HHS Secretary Alex Azar had to return to Andrews when smoke filled the cabin.
In 2021, Vice President Kamala Harris’s plane also had to turn back due to an equipment failure.
The Air Force has talked about replacing the ageing C-32A fleet, but those plans have been delayed.
For now, these planes are expected to stay in service with Air Mobility Command until about 2040, while research into faster replacements continues.

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