Trump Departs NATO Summit in Turkey Aboard Older Air Force One Due to Missile-Defense Needs

President Trump departed a NATO leaders' summit in Turkey aboard an older Air Force One aircraft rather than the newer Qatari-donated jet. A security decision made out of an "abundance of caution" prompted the swap, according to a source familiar with the plans.

The Secret Service is said to have asked that the president not use the Qatari-donated jet when he left Ankara. Reporters traveling with him were asked to keep window blinds closed on the flight from Turkey to Britain. Trump attributed the request to the "sleazebags over here," an apparent reference to Iran.

The older plane's transponder was temporarily disabled early in the flight from Turkey, a measure used in high-risk environments. Trump posted on social media that the new aircraft had been sent to Mildenhall so service members could tour it. Trump denied that security concerns involving Iran prompted the use of two planes.

The U.S. military had conducted strikes in Iran less than a day earlier, with additional strikes occurring on July 8. The U.S. spent $400 million to retrofit the Qatari jet. It lacks some missile detection and countermeasure systems present on the older Air Force One planes.

The U.S. Air Force stated the new aircraft has been fitted with high-level security protocols. The original Air Force One planes were built near the end of the Cold War and hardened against nuclear blast effects. A pair of Boeing jets now being modified as permanent replacements are expected to be delivered in 2028.

Iran possesses missiles and drones that can reach Turkey but lacks weapons capable of striking England at roughly 2,500 miles. Both aircraft made an unscheduled stop at the English base. The Qatari jet departed Turkey earlier that day and landed at Mildenhall in the afternoon.