On 8/7, President Donald Trump used the older, light blue VC-25A aircraft to depart Turkey after the NATO summit. This was instead of the new VC-25B Bridge Aircraft, which had recently entered service and which he had used to travel from the US to Turkey previously.

The US leader did not explicitly explain the reason for the aircraft change, only stating he "wanted to reminisce". He announced that both planes would land at Mildenhall Air Force Base in England before heading back to the US, despite this stop not being part of the initial plan.

The US VC-25A aircraft in Turkey before President Trump departed the NATO summit on 8/7. Photo: AP

The US VC-25A aircraft in Turkey before President Trump departed the NATO summit on 8/7. Photo: AP

"We just landed and linked up with the new Air Force One, which had been brought to Mildenhall earlier at the base's request so the service members stationed here could see it firsthand. They were very excited", Trump wrote on social media.

The US president then boarded the new aircraft and departed for Joint Base Andrews, located on the outskirts of Washington D.C. He stated that the stop at Mildenhall Base was "on the way from Turkey to the US and hardly changed the flight path".

When asked if an assassination threat was the reason for changing aircraft to leave Turkey, President Trump did not answer directly but acknowledged potential danger. "I always face threats. I am target number 1 on their list", he said, reiterating previous statements that he was among Iran's top assassination targets.

Turkey shares a border with Iran. Trump departed Turkey less than a day after the US military conducted a series of large-scale airstrikes on Iran in retaliation for attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, and just before the US launched a new round of airstrikes on the morning of 8/7.

Trump boarding the new Air Force One aircraft at Mildenhall Base in England on 8/7. Photo: AP

Trump boarding the new Air Force One aircraft at Mildenhall Base in England on 8/7. Photo: AP

Trump's unexpected decision to change aircraft also raised doubts about the safety assurances of the new plane.

The VC-25B Bridge Aircraft was converted by defense company L3Harris from a Boeing 747-8i, nicknamed "flying palace," which Qatar gifted to the US last year. This aircraft will serve as Air Force One for the US president while Boeing completes the modification process of two 747-8i jets into the full VC-25B aircraft.

The communication system on the VC-25B Bridge Aircraft is equipped with the latest technology. This plane is also larger than the VC-25A, with a length exceeding it by approximately 5 meters.

Jason Lambert, a leader at L3Harris, declined to disclose information about the aircraft's defense and command systems, or what requirements the US Air Force may have relaxed or eliminated to accelerate the VC-25B Bridge Aircraft project compared to Boeing's complete VC-25B version.

The VC-25B Bridge Aircraft at Joint Base Andrews on 19/6. Photo: USAF

The VC-25B Bridge Aircraft at Joint Base Andrews on 19/6. Photo: USAF

According to US military publication War Zone, the older VC-25A aircraft is equipped with a missile approach warning system, along with infrared jamming systems and decoys.

Meanwhile, the VC-25B Bridge Aircraft appears to utilize a different configuration. It remains unclear whether this aircraft possesses electromagnetic pulse (EMP) resistance and maintains command capabilities akin to the complete VC-25B version in Boeing's project.

Democratic lawmakers estimate the aircraft conversion cost could exceed one billion USD, while also expressing concerns about the aircraft's safety level.

By Thanh Tam (According to AP, Reuters, and AFP)