Trump transferred from Air Force One to military plane after NATO summit in Turkey

Washington, D.C., officials confirmed that the president transferred from the aging Air Force One aircraft to a separate military transport plane while departing the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, last month, according to U.S. media reports. The change occurred after the multilateral meeting concluded, with the president boarding a U.S. Air Force C‑17 Globemaster II that was positioned on the tarmac to ferry him back to the United States. The older Boeing 747‑based Air Force One, designated VC‑25A, had been used for the majority of the president’s overseas travel since its introduction in the late 1990s, but logistical considerations at the Turkish airfield prompted the switch.

The move underscores ongoing efforts to modernize the presidential fleet, as the Department of Defense prepares the next‑generation VC‑25B to replace the current aircraft later this decade. While the president’s itinerary remained unchanged, the temporary use of a cargo‑type military plane ensured continuity of secure transport without delay. No further operational issues were reported, and the president’s return proceeded as scheduled.