U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly traveled secretly aboard a smaller military aircraft during his trip from Turkey to Britain last month, following what U.S. officials described as a credible threat from Iran.
According to reports from The Washington Post and The New York Times, Trump initially boarded the older Air Force One in Ankara before being discreetly transferred to an Air Force C-32A using an airport catering truck. The move was reportedly carried out as a security precaution while the larger aircraft served as a decoy.
The unusual operation came during heightened tensions involving Iran and shortly after Trump attended the NATO summit in Turkey. Reporters traveling aboard the older Air Force One were reportedly instructed to keep their window shades closed, with some members of the White House staff also apparently unaware of the president's location.
Trump later arrived in Britain aboard the smaller aircraft, while the decoy Air Force One landed shortly afterward.
The White House defended the security measures, saying the president faces threats from multiple enemies and that authorities use available resources to protect him and his staff. The incident also renewed attention on the newly renovated Boeing 747 donated by Qatar, which Trump had used to travel to Turkey before unexpectedly opting for the older Air Force One for the next leg of his journey.
