US President Donald Trump was secretly transferred from Air Force One to a smaller military aircraft during his return from a NATO summit in Turkiye last month after US officials received what they considered a credible threat from Iran, according to reports.
The unusual security operation involved using a catering vehicle to move Trump away from the older Air Force One without alerting journalists travelling with him.
Reporters and some White House staff were reportedly left believing Trump remained aboard the presidential aircraft as it departed Ankara for a British military base.
Trump moved through catering vehicle
Trump was initially seen boarding an older, powder-blue Air Force One in Ankara, with television cameras recording his departure.
However, shortly after boarding, he was reportedly moved through a catering truck positioned at a different door on the opposite side of the aircraft.
The president and a small group of aides were then taken to a C-32A military aircraft, a smaller Boeing 757-based plane, which secretly transported him to RAF Mildenhall in England.
The older Air Force One continued its journey as a decoy, carrying journalists who were unaware that Trump was no longer aboard.
Iran threat prompted operation
US officials familiar with the operation said the plan was developed within hours after intelligence indicated a credible threat against Trump.
The threat was reportedly not specifically linked to the aircraft donated by Qatar. Rather, officials believed Trump himself could be targeted regardless of which plane he used.
The operation involved senior officials, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to a US official familiar with the matter.
The White House did not directly confirm details of the operation.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said there are “many enemies of America” who have targeted Trump and that authorities use every available tool to protect him.
Journalists unknowingly became part of decoy operation
Reporters travelling with Trump were reportedly instructed to keep the window blinds of the press cabin closed during the flight from Turkiye.
When the older Air Force One arrived at Mildenhall, Trump was secretly brought back onto the aircraft before disembarking in front of waiting journalists.
He then walked across the tarmac and boarded the newer Qatari-donated aircraft for the final leg to Washington.
At the time, Trump publicly said the older aircraft had been used so troops stationed at the British base could see the new presidential jet.
Unusual security measure raises transparency questions
Former Secret Service officials said decoy flights and other deceptive measures have been used to protect US presidents, particularly in high-risk environments.
However, the operation was unusual because journalists assigned to accompany the president were deliberately kept unaware of his actual location and unknowingly travelled aboard the decoy aircraft.
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal called for a congressional inquiry, describing the episode as “unprecedented” and “surreal”.
The incident highlights the heightened security concerns surrounding Trump amid the ongoing conflict with Iran and years of threats against the US president.
