US President Donald Trump bids farewell to long-serving Air Force One aircraft. PTI
US President Donald Trump’s return from France marked the final journey of a Boeing 747-200B that has served US presidents for 35 years aboard Air Force One, according to senior White House officials.The aircraft landed at Joint Base Andrews in the early hours of Thursday, with officials posting photographs of the jet on the tarmac and describing it as the ‘last ride’ of the long-serving presidential aircraft.Monica Crowley, US Chief of Protocol, said on X: “I was honoured to be aboard Air Force One last night on its final flight,” adding, “For nearly 40 years, it carried every President since George HW Bush. It wasn’t the most modern plane, but it was cosy. And every flight with President Trump was incredibly special. Farewell and thank you, SAM 2900. You served all of us well,” she said.White House communications director Steven Cheung also posted, “‘Well done, good and faithful servant. ‘The Last Ride’,” alongside an image of the aircraft on the tarmac. The US president had returned from France earlier in the day on board the same aircraft, marking its final operational presidential mission. The transition comes as the US Air Force prepares to integrate a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar to Trump, which has completed modification and flight testing, according to a US air force statement reported by NBC News.NBC News also reported that Trump is considering taking the inaugural flight of the newly refitted aircraft when he travels to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota next month as part of celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary. The aircraft has been repainted in a red, white and blue scheme, replacing the traditional “Jackie Kennedy” livery.Pentagon officials told lawmakers in May that the cost of overhauling the Qatari aircraft has not exceeded $400 million.The Qatari Boeing 747 will serve as a bridge aircraft until two new presidential 747s, ordered at a cost of $5.6 billion, enter service.Air Force One is a call sign applied to any aircraft carrying US president, meaning multiple aircraft can be designated under the title depending on operational needs.
