President Donald Trump is at Joint Base Andrews showing off a new presidential plane: a luxury jet gifted by the government of Qatar that’s been painted in red, white, and blue with “United States of America” displayed prominently.
This aircraft aims to fill the gap between two older modified Boeing 747-200s that have served as Air Force One since 1990 and two new planes being modified by Boeing, which won’t be ready for about two more years.
The familiar light blue color scheme created by Jacqueline Kennedy has been replaced. Now, there’s a navy blue and white fuselage accented with striking red stripes.
The Air Force announced on Friday that the new jet would start “commissioning flights” soon. These flights are meant to serve as a “final exam” for the modifications made to the aircraft, according to their statement.
“The safety and security of the commander in chief is our highest priority,” said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. “From the beginning, we meticulously evaluated every requirement to accelerate delivery while maintaining the high standards expected of the presidential mission. This effort proves that the U. S. Air Force can move fast without sacrificing quality, security, or reliability.”
Trump expressed frustration over delays in delivering the new Air Force One planes, which likely won’t be finished before his term ends in 2029.
The Pentagon accepted the Qatari jet last year and has spent several months getting it ready for service.
The quicker timeline compared to other planes is partly because its interior wasn’t modified.
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