Trump Used Older Air Force One for First Leg of Turkey Departure, Newer Jet for Rest of Trip

President Trump departed Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday aboard an older Air Force One aircraft rather than the newly retrofitted Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8. The Secret Service advised against using the newer plane for the departure from Ankara due to security concerns linked to Iran hostilities.

The older aircraft was used only for the initial leg of the return journey; Trump switched to the newer jet in Britain for the remainder of the trip home.

Rep. ) stated on CNN’s State of the Union that the actual Air Force One has in-air refueling capability that is critical for the president’s plane. Himes added that the new Air Force One is a security risk for the president.

The New York Times reported on Wednesday that the Secret Service advised President Trump not to leave a NATO Summit in Turkey on the newer Qatari-gifted Air Force One. Trump stated to reporters that he is the number-one target on Iran's list of assassination targets.

On Thursday, White House communications director Steven Cheung stated that the new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft fitted with high-level security protocols.

Cheung stated that the administration uses every tool at its disposal, including distraction and misdirection, to address threats to the president. The New York Times reported that Trump denied that Iran-related security concerns were the reason for using two different aircraft on the return journey.

The change in aircraft was described as a precautionary measure rather than a response to a specific, identified threat, according to The New York Times.

The newer Air Force One was received as a gift from Qatar earlier this year.