Trump Departs NATO Summit on Vintage Air Force One Amid Tensions
WHO:
Forbes - President Donald Trump
NBC News - President Donald Trump
WHAT:
Forbes - Trump stated that the Qatari jet was headed to RAF Mildenhall and “two or three” other bases in Europe for service members to tour the aircraft.
NBC News - The switch in jet was prompted by advice from the Secret Service, which indicated that the Qatari jet lacks all the features of the older Air Force One.
NBC News - An unnamed senior Trump administration official insisted that “there were no shortcuts taken” to secure the Qatari plane, which went through the same safety protocols as every Air Force One.
Forbes - Trump stated, “I’m number one on the kill list for Iran,” when asked about potential threats to Air Force One.
Forbes - Trump told reporters, “Well, I have a threat all the time. I’m number one on their list, before you. But if I go, you go…Perhaps someday you want to change professions.”
Forbes - The Air Force has reportedly spent less than $400 million on security upgrades to the Qatari jet, though some experts estimate the cost is likely closer to $1 billion.
Forbes - Trump left Ankara, Turkey, on the old Air Force One jet after attending a NATO Summit.
Forbes - Trump switched back to the new Qatari VIP jet for the return flight to Andrews Air Force Base.
Forbes - Trump stated he was flying home on the old plane because the Qatari jet was headed to RAF Mildenhall and “two or three” other bases in Europe.
Forbes - Trump described the detour to England as a “short trip.”
Forbes - The Trump administration fast-tracked security upgrades for the Qatari jet, which typically take years to complete.
NBC News - The swap to the older Air Force One was a security decision amid threats from Iran.
WHERE:
Forbes - Ankara, Turkey
Forbes - Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
Forbes - RAF Mildenhall, a U.S. Air Force base in Suffolk, England
WHEN:
Forbes - Trump took his inaugural flight on the Qatari plane last week when he traveled to North Dakota for the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
Forbes - The Trump administration accepted the gifted plane in May last year.
WHY:
NBC News - The decision to switch planes was made amid concerns about Trump's safety following the killing of Iran's supreme leader.
Forbes - The change of planes was a precautionary measure urged by the Secret Service due to concerns about the Qatari jet's capabilities.
Forbes - Trump considers himself a target of Iran following the killing of its supreme leader.
HOW:
Forbes - An Air Force spokesperson stated, “we are confident the aircraft is safe, secure and equipped with the most advanced technologies necessary to meet the requirements of the presidential mission.”
Forbes - Passengers were asked to close their window shades before takeoff from Ankara, indicating heightened security measures during the flight.
Forbes - Passengers on board were asked to close their window shades before takeoff from Ankara.
Forbes - An unnamed senior Trump administration official stated that “there were no shortcuts taken” to secure the Qatari plane, which went through the same safety protocols as every Air Force One.
(UPDATED July 9, 2026 22:21 UTC)
Trump announced that a Qatari jet is set to visit RAF Mildenhall and a couple of other bases in Europe for service members to tour the aircraft. The decision to switch jets was made following advice from the Secret Service, which noted that the Qatari jet does not have all the features of the older Air Force One. An Air Force spokesperson expressed confidence in the aircraft's safety and security, stating it meets the advanced technological requirements for presidential missions.
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(UPDATED July 9, 2026 17:38 UTC)
Trump has claimed he is "number one on the kill list for Iran," expressing concerns about threats to Air Force One and jokingly suggesting that reporters might want to consider changing professions if he were to go. This statement comes as the Air Force has reportedly spent less than $400 million on security upgrades to the Qatari jet, although some experts believe the actual cost could be closer to $1 billion, a decision made in light of safety concerns following the killing of Iran's supreme leader. During a recent flight from Ankara, passengers were instructed to close their window shades, reflecting the heightened security measures in place.
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(UPDATED July 9, 2026 13:54 UTC)
President Trump has just left Ankara, Turkey, after attending a NATO Summit and switched back to the older Air Force One jet for his return flight to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, citing security concerns amid threats from Iran. He noted that the Qatari VIP jet, which he had initially used, was headed to RAF Mildenhall and other bases in Europe, describing the detour to England as a "short trip." The Trump administration had fast-tracked security upgrades for the Qatari jet, ensuring it met the same safety protocols as Air Force One, with passengers instructed to close their window shades before takeoff from Ankara.