Editing Boeing VC-25 (section)

==Operational history==

===VC-25A===
The VC-25A replaced the [[VC-137C]] (a military version of the [[Boeing 707]]) as the mainstay of the ''Air Force One'' fleet starting in 1987.<ref name="Jenkins_2000_p55-6"/> On some occasions, the VC-25s serve as transport for the US vice president, for which service they use the ''[[Air Force Two]]'' call sign. The VC-25A aircraft are maintained and operated as military operations by the Presidential Airlift Group, part of [[Air Mobility Command]]'s 89th Airlift Wing, based at [[Andrews Field|Joint Base Andrews]] in [[Camp Springs, Maryland]].

The aircraft can also be operated as a military command center in the event of an incident such as a nuclear attack. Operational modifications include [[aerial refueling]] capability<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/about-the-white-house/the-grounds/air-force-one/ |title=Air Force One: The President's office in the sky |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812101901/https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/the-grounds/air-force-one/ |archive-date=12 August 2022 |website=The White House |url-status=live |access-date=12 August 2022}}</ref> and countermeasures against [[Surface-to-air missile|anti-aircraft missiles]]. The electronics on board are connected with approximately 238 miles (383&nbsp;km) of wiring, twice that of a regular 747. All wiring is covered with heavy shielding for protection from a [[nuclear electromagnetic pulse]] in the event of a nuclear attack. The aircraft also has [[electronic countermeasures]] (ECMs) (AN/ALQ-204 Matador) to [[radar jamming|jam]] enemy radar, [[Flare (countermeasure)|flares]] to spoof heat-seeking missiles, and [[chaff (radar countermeasure)|chaff]] to spoof radar-guided missiles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cenciotti |first=David |date=2018-10-23 |title=These Are The Systems that Protect Air Force One From Heat-Seeking Missiles |url=https://theaviationist.com/2018/10/23/these-are-the-systems-that-protect-air-force-one-from-heat-seeking-missiles/ |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=The Aviationist |language=en-US}}</ref> All small arms and ammunition stores not in the physical possession of the Secret Service and Air Force security personnel on board the VC-25s are stowed and secured in separate locked compartments, each with a different locking mechanism for added security. Many of the VC-25's other capabilities are classified for security reasons.

There has been at least one instance of a VC-25A carrying the president of the United States without using the Air Force One call sign, when President George W. Bush went on a secret flight (with the "Gulf Stream Five" call sign) to meet with [[Iraq War|troops in Iraq]] on [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]], on 27 November 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-11-28 |title=Bush trip to Baghdad kept top-secret |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3606347 |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>

After a presidential inauguration resulting in a change in office, the outgoing president is provided transport on a VC-25 aircraft to their home destination.  The aircraft for this flight does not use the Air Force One call sign because it is not carrying the president in office.  For both Presidents [[Bill Clinton]] and George W. Bush, the flight was known as ''Special Air Mission 28000'', where the number represents the aircraft's tail number.<ref>Felsenthal, Carol. [http://www.cdobs.com/archive/featured/2577/ "When Bill Clinton Left the White House"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222174122/http://www.cdobs.com/archive/featured/2577/ |date=22 December 2015}}. ''Chicago Daily Observer'', 22 January 2009. Retrieved: 26 June 2009.</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/world/americas/20iht-bush.4.19537115.html "Bush flies to Texas to begin post-presidential life."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821214249/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/world/americas/20iht-bush.4.19537115.html |date=21 August 2017}} ''The New York Times'', 20 January 2009. Retrieved: 9 September 2011.</ref>

[[File:US Navy 061230-F-0194C-006 The casket of Gerald R. Ford, 38th president of the United States, arrives at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Dec. 30, 2006.jpg|thumb|The casket of President Gerald Ford being lowered from the cabin of ''SAM 29000'' at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, 2006.]]

The VC-25As have also been used to transport deceased former presidents, as the guest area aft of "the White House" has chairs and tables that can be removed and the casket laid in their place.<ref name="af1"/> The bodies of Ronald Reagan, [[Gerald Ford]], George H.W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter were transported to Washington for their state funerals, and then on to their final resting places.<ref>[https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-one-carter-state-funeral/ 'Air Force One' Plane to Transport Carter for State Funeral]</ref> Colonel Mark Tillman, pilot for President George W. Bush, said, "We'll take care of the president from basically when he's in office to when he lays in state."<ref name="af1"/> For the funeral of President Ronald Reagan in 2004, Tillman said that the crew converted the front of the aircraft to look the way it would have appeared when Reagan was president; President and [[Nancy Reagan]]'s Air Force One jackets were placed on the chairs to "make them feel at home".<ref name="af1"/> A specially designed hydraulic lifter (similar to the type used by airline catering) with the presidential seal affixed to the sides lifts the casket up to the portside aft door to enter the VC-25A. The tradition of placing the caskets in the passenger cabin dates back to the [[assassination of John F. Kennedy]], when the crew did not want the president's body placed in the cargo hold,<ref name="LBJCapitol"/> and again during the state funeral of [[Lyndon B. Johnson]].<ref name="LBJCapitol">{{cite news |last=Foley |first=Thomas |title=Thousands in Washington Brave Cold to Say Goodbye to Johnson |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=25 January 1973 |page=A1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Haynes |author-link=Haynes Johnson |last2=Witcover |first2=Jules |author-link2=Jules Witcover |date=26 January 1973 |title=LBJ Buried in Beloved Texas Hills |page=A01 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Provence|first=Harry|title=Thousands Fill Capitol to Bid Lyndon Farewell|newspaper=The Waco Tribune-Herald|date=January 25, 1973}}</ref>

According to an April 2024 report, the two VC-25As are slated for retirement in [[fiscal year]] 2028 and 2029, respectively.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/FY2025/FY2025-28_Force_Structure_Changes_Exhibit.pdf |title=Department of Defense Report on Force Structure Changes for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Defense Budget |date=April 2024 |publisher=[[Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)|Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer]] |pages=45–46}}</ref> The VC-25As will be placed in museums after retirement, with the [[George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum]] requesting one of the aircraft for permanent display in 2019.<ref name="airforcetimes20190408">{{cite news |title=Bush Foundation wants retiring Air Force One for museum |url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2019/04/08/bush-foundation-wants-retiring-air-force-one-for-museum/ |work=Air Force Times |date=April 8, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

===VC-25B===
[[File:Air Force One VC-25B paint scheme 2023-03-10.JPG|thumb|Illustration of the VC-25B color scheme announced March 2023]]

The VC-25A aircraft are aging and have become less cost-effective to operate. The USAF Air Mobility Command investigated possible replacements, with early press coverage suggesting that the USAF would consider the [[Boeing 747-8]] and the [[Airbus A380]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/exclusive-us-considers-airbus-a380-as-air-force-one-218681/ |title= US considers Airbus A380 as Air Force One and potentially a C-5 replacement |publisher= Flight Global |date= 17 October 2007 |access-date= 27 March 2016 |archive-date= 11 April 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160411023154/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/exclusive-us-considers-airbus-a380-as-air-force-one-218681/ |url-status= live}}</ref> On 7 January 2009, [[Air Force Materiel Command]] issued a new [[Sources Sought]] notice for a replacement aircraft to enter service by 2017 with an additional two aircraft to follow in 2019 and 2021.<ref>[https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=e35e259abc36437e8e7665d42bdac9b2&tab=core&_cview=0 "USAF Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization (PAR) Program."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331192734/https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=e35e259abc36437e8e7665d42bdac9b2&tab=core&_cview=0 |date=31 March 2019}} ''USAF Materiel Command'', 7 January 2009. Retrieved: 8 January 2009.</ref> On 28 January 2009, [[EADS North America]] representing [[EADS]] and its Airbus division confirmed it would not respond to the US Air Force notice, as assembling only three airplanes in the US would not make financial sense.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/eads-waves-off-bid-for-air-force-one-replacement-321709/ |title= EADS waves off bid for Air Force One replacement |publisher= Flight Global |date= 28 January 2009 |access-date= 27 March 2016 |archive-date= 19 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160319105955/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/eads-waves-off-bid-for-air-force-one-replacement-321709/ |url-status= live}}</ref> This made Boeing the only aircraft manufacturer interested in supplying the replacement aircraft,<ref>[https://www.fbo.gov/index?tab=ivl&s=opportunity&mode=form&id=e35e259abc36437e8e7665d42bdac9b2 "USAF Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization (PAR) Program, Interested Vendors List."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717062450/https://www.fbo.gov/index?tab=ivl&s=opportunity&mode=form&id=e35e259abc36437e8e7665d42bdac9b2 |date=17 July 2011}} ''USAF Materiel Command'', 7 January 2009. Retrieved: 8 January 2009.</ref> and was reported to be exploring a [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|787]] option also.<ref>Butler, Amy. [http://aviationweek.com/awin/boeing-only-contender-new-air-force-one "Boeing Only Contender for New Air Force One."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214180147/http://aviationweek.com/awin/boeing-only-contender-new-air-force-one |date=14 February 2016}} ''Aviation Week'', 28 January 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2009.</ref> On 28 January 2015, the Air Force announced the selection of the Boeing 747-8 to replace the aging VC-25A for presidential transport.<ref>[https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/562748/af-identifies-boeing-747-8-platform-for-next-air-force-one/ AF Identifies Boeing 747-8 platform for next Air Force One] .</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mehta |first=Aaron |title=Boeing Tapped for Air Force One Replacement |work=[[Defense News]] |date=28 January 2015 |url=https://www.defensenews.com/training-sim/2015/01/28/boeing-tapped-for-air-force-one-replacement/ |access-date=2024-04-26}}</ref>

On 10 May 2016, the Air Force posted online an amendment to its Air Force One contract authorizing Boeing to begin preliminary design activities. This version of the contract synopsis confirmed that the government will buy two modified 747-8 aircraft. Boeing was awarded a contract in January 2016 to identify cost reduction opportunities in areas including maintenance, aerial refueling and communications.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=1e3ff4d818b2bf35db5d4c07d92f240a&_cview=0 |title=Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization |date=10 May 2016 |publisher=FedBizOpps |access-date=12 May 2016 |archive-date=2 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002160903/https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=1e3ff4d818b2bf35db5d4c07d92f240a&_cview=0 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2016/05/11/new-air-force-one-trump-clinton-way/84225802/ |title=A new Air Force One for Trump or Clinton is on the way |date=11 May 2016 |publisher=Air Force Times |access-date=12 May 2016}}</ref> On 15 July 2016, Boeing received another contract for pre-engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) risk-reduction to address "system specification, the environmental control system, the aircraft interior, the electrical and power system and sustainment and maintenance approaches" to reduce development risks and life-cycle costs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aviationweek.com/defense/week-defense-july-21-28-2016 |title=Boeing Wins Second Air Force One Contract |date=21 July 2016 |publisher=Aviation Week |access-date=21 July 2016 |archive-date=9 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609171926/https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/week-defense-july-21-28-2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:N894BA.jpg|thumb|One of the two 747-8I aircraft that will be converted into the VC-25B, seen in July 2015 shortly after construction.]]
On 1 August 2017, ''Defense One'' reported that in an effort to pay less for the replacement program, the USAF entered into a contract to purchase two [[Boeing 747-8|747-8 Intercontinental]] (747-8I) jets from Boeing, which had originally been ordered in 2011 by [[Transaero]], a Russian airline. Before they could be delivered, Transaero filed for bankruptcy and was closed down; the two aircraft were stored at [[Southern California Logistics Airport]] in the [[Mojave Desert]] to prevent corrosion. On 27 February 2018, the White House announced a US$3.9 billion (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=3900000000|start_year=2018}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) agreement with Boeing to modify the two unsold 747-8s to replace the VC-25As. The new aircraft is to be designated VC-25B.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/27/the-white-house-has-cut-a-deal-with-boeing-for-two-new-air-force-ones-nbc-news.html|title=The White House cuts $3.9 billion deal with Boeing for two new Air Force Ones|first=Amanda Macias|last=Kevin Breuninger|website=[[CNBC]]|date=27 February 2018|access-date=27 February 2018|archive-date=27 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227202503/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/27/the-white-house-has-cut-a-deal-with-boeing-for-two-new-air-force-ones-nbc-news.html|url-status=live}}</ref> These aircraft are to be retrofitted with telecommunications and security equipment to bring them to the required security level for the presidential aircraft.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.defenseone.com/business/2017/08/russian-air-force-one-boeing-trump-747/139872/ |title=Trump Wanted a Cheaper Air Force One. So the USAF Is Buying a Bankrupt Russian Firm's Undelivered 747s |work=Defense One |access-date=2 August 2017 |archive-date=1 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801223605/http://www.defenseone.com/business/2017/08/russian-air-force-one-boeing-trump-747/139872/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2022, Boeing's CEO [[Dave Calhoun]] revealed that he expects the company to have a loss of $660 million on the VC-25B program, after the contract was renegotiated by President Trump.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 April 2022 |title=CEO: Boeing Should Have Rejected Trump's Air Force One Deal |url=https://www.defenseone.com/business/2022/04/ceo-boeing-should-have-rejected-trumps-air-force-one-deal/366186/ |access-date=27 April 2022}}</ref>

In June 2019, President Trump announced his plans to revamp the VC-25's [[livery]] from the traditional [[Robin egg blue]] (called "luminous [[ultramarine]]")<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Mike |date=2018-07-12 |title=Scoop: Trump wants tough new Air Force One paint job |url=https://www.axios.com/2018/07/12/donald-trump-new-air-force-one-paint-job |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref> white and silver shades to one of red, white, and blue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Mike |date=12 July 2018 |title=Scoop: Trump wants tough new Air Force One paint job |url=https://www.axios.com/donald-trump-new-air-force-one-paint-job-b3ff40b3-f8da-448e-9023-a1ea73067488.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003234648/https://www.axios.com/donald-trump-new-air-force-one-paint-job-b3ff40b3-f8da-448e-9023-a1ea73067488.html |archive-date=3 October 2020 |access-date=8 October 2020 |website=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 July 2018 |title=Trump to redesign Air Force One |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44865953 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807192116/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44865953 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |access-date=8 October 2020 |website=[[BBC News]] |url-status=live }}</ref> This would have been the first deviation from the [[Raymond Loewy]] livery scheme since it was introduced in 1962 on the [[Boeing C-137 Stratoliner#VC-137C|VC-137C]] which was first used as Air Force One during the [[Kennedy administration]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patton |first=Phil |date=24 February 2009 |title=Air Force One: The Graphic History |url=https://www.aiga.org/air-force-one-the-graphic-history |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221104316/https://www.aiga.org/air-force-one-the-graphic-history |archive-date=21 February 2020 |access-date=8 October 2020 |website=[[American Institute of Graphic Arts]]}}</ref> The Biden administration abandoned the new design, citing "additional engineering, as well as increased time and cost."<ref name="Restuccia">{{Cite news |last1=Tangel |first1=Andrew |last2=Restuccia |first2=Andrew |date=10 June 2022 |title=Biden Reverses Trump Plan to Paint Air Force One Red, White and Blue |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-reverses-trump-plan-to-paint-air-force-one-red-white-and-blue-11654890242 |access-date=15 July 2022 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref name="liebermann1">{{cite news |last1=Liebermann |first1=Oren |title=New color scheme unveiled for Air Force One that discards Trump's design |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/10/politics/air-force-one-color-scheme/index.html |access-date=11 March 2023 |publisher=CNN |date=10 March 2023}}</ref> A modified version of the traditional scheme was announced in March 2023.<ref name="afns 3-23">{{cite news |title=New paint design for 'Next Air Force One' |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3326103/new-paint-design-for-next-air-force-one/ |access-date=11 March 2023 |agency=Air Force News Service |publisher=U.S. Air Force |date=10 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="liebermann1" />

The 747s began undergoing modification work at Boeing's San Antonio facility in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.airforcemag.com/first-new-air-force-one-begins-modification-process/|title = First New Air Force One Begins Modification Process|date = 11 March 2020}}</ref> According to ''The Wall Street Journal'', the development process has been hit by multiple "production mishaps", including the discovery of empty [[tequila]] mini-bottles on one of the aircraft, and the use of jacks that were not rated to support the weight of the aircraft. While the jacking did not result in damage to the planes, "the Pentagon's contractor-management agency formally requested Boeing improve its operations."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tangel |first=Andrew |date=5 April 2022 |title=Boeing's New Air Force One Hit by Production Mishaps |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/boeings-new-air-force-one-hit-by-production-mishaps-11649170748 |access-date=15 July 2022 |issn=0099-9660 }}</ref>

While the initial delivery date was set to 2024, the Pentagon expects the jets to be two to three years late,<ref name="Restuccia" /> with the Air Force projecting delivery of the first VC-25B in 2027, and the other in 2028, as of a 2023 press release.<ref name="afns 3-23" /> By 2025 the delivery date had slipped to 2029 and the Air Force was considering changes to the requirements to bring the delivery date back to 2027.<ref>{{cite news |title=USAF, Boeing May Modify Air Force One Requirements to Get Delivery by 2027 |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-one-boeing-requirements-2027/ |date=May 9, 2025 |author=Unshin Lee Harpley |work=Air & Space Forces Magazine}}</ref>

===P4-HBJ===
In May 2025, the U.S. Government accepted a Boeing 747-8 ([[P4-HBJ]]) as a gift from the royal family of [[Qatar]] to use as an interim Air Force One at least through the end of the [[Second presidency of Donald Trump|second Trump Administration]].<ref>{{Cite news |author=LOLITA C. BALDOR |title=Defense Department accepts Boeing 747 from Qatar for Trump's use |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/defense-department-accepts-boeing-747-qatar-trumps-122040739 |date=May 21, 2025 |access-date=2025-05-21 |work=ABC News}}</ref>