President Trump switched to the older Air Force One jet to avoid a credible missile threat from Iranian proxy forces during a NATO summit.

President Trump departed the NATO summit in Turkey using the older Air Force One jet after the Secret Service identified a credible plot by Iranian proxy groups to fire a missile at the aircraft. While the president arrived in Ankara on the newer $400 million Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar, the administration decided to swap planes for the return trip to the United Kingdom. The older aircraft features advanced laser technology designed to blind and misdirect incoming munitions, whereas the newer jet currently lacks some of these specific defensive systems. The administration announced that the new plane is safe but will undergo a month of upgrades this fall to be "maxed out" in capability. During the summit, the president acknowledged the ongoing security risks posed by Iran. He noted that the U.S. military is prepared to destroy all areas of Iran if Tehran attempts to assassinate him. For now, the president will continue to use the legacy aircraft until the new jet's enhancements are complete.

Sources