Secret Service Advised Trump to Use Older Air Force One Leaving Turkey

The Secret Service advised President Trump to leave Turkey aboard an older version of Air Force One rather than the newer plane that had carried him to the NATO summit in Ankara. People briefed on the situation told CBS News the recommendation was made to ensure the president could manage the war with Iran from the air and to address security concerns.

The decision was described as precautionary and not based on a specific or credible threat.

The older planes are equipped with laser technology to blind incoming missiles and other diversion systems, sources familiar with the matter said. It remains unclear whether the Boeing 747-8 Qatari jet has been fitted with those systems. The New York Times first reported that the Secret Service asked the president not to use the newer plane when departing Ankara.

The Qataris gifted the $400 million plane last year, and the military spent months retrofitting it. A former U.S. government official who spoke to CBS News expressed concern that there was not enough time or money to outfit the new plane with all defensive capabilities required for Air Force One.

"The new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft that has been fitted with high-level security protocols that ensure the safety of the President and his staff," White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement to CBS News. The Air Force has previously said the aircraft is safe, secure and equipped with the most advanced technologies necessary to meet the requirements of the presidential mission.

The service added that no risk was taken in security, safety or mission communications.

Trump traveled in the older plane when he left the NATO summit in Turkey. He returned to the newer Qatari-gifted plane when he landed in the United Kingdom later the same day. The change came after the war with Iran escalated with renewed attacks by both sides this week.