US President Donald Trump was reportedly secretly transferred from Air Force One to a military Boeing C-32A while leaving a NATO summit in Turkey last month, following intelligence about a possible Iranian missile attack against his aircraft.
According to reports by The Washington Post and CBS News, Trump was publicly seen boarding Air Force One at Ankara on 8 July, but was subsequently moved out of sight using a catering truck positioned on the opposite side of the aircraft. He then boarded a C-32A, the military version of the Boeing 757 frequently used to transport senior US officials.
The elaborate security operation reportedly followed intelligence indicating a credible Iranian threat to target the presidential aircraft. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth separately boarded the C-32A using conventional stairs, apparently to avoid drawing attention to the operation.
Journalists and some White House personnel remained aboard Air Force One and were reportedly instructed to close their window shades, without being told that the president had left the aircraft.
Trump travelled aboard the C-32A to the United Kingdom, where he later rejoined the presidential aircraft fleet before continuing to the United States. The operation involved both the legacy Air Force One and the Boeing 747-8 provided by Qatar and subsequently converted for presidential use.
The reported precautions came amid renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran. Trump acknowledged during his return journey that he faced continuing threats from Tehran, describing himself as Iran’s “number one” target, but did not disclose the aircraft switch.
The White House has neither confirmed nor denied the reported operation. Officials have stressed that the newer Boeing 747-8 is equipped with security measures, although additional defensive upgrades are reportedly planned.
The incident highlights the extraordinary security procedures surrounding presidential air travel, particularly when intelligence indicates a potential threat to the aircraft carrying the US president.
This post was published on 11 August 2026 15:56
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