Lois Larson
The President of the United States has access to a variety of aircraft, airports, and airbases. The official air traffic control-designated call sign for a US Air Force aircraft carrying the president is Air Force One. The president's aircraft is usually stationed at Joint Base Andrews, also known as Andrews Air Force Base, in Maryland, a few miles southeast of Washington, DC. The base is also home to the vice president's aircraft, a Boeing C-32A. The base has been the main point of entry for foreign military and government officials visiting Washington and the United States since 1961.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport |
| Airport codes | IATA: DCA, ICAO: KDCA, FAA LID: DCA |
| Location | Arlington County, Virginia, United States |
| Distance from Washington, D.C. | 5 miles (8 kilometers; 4 nautical miles) |
| Year of opening | 1941 |
| Terminals | 2 |
| Year of Terminal 2 opening | 1997 |
| Year of renaming | 1998 |
| Previous name | Washington National Airport |
| Renamed by | President Bill Clinton |
| Renamed to honour | Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States |
| Prohibited Airspace | P-56A and P-56B |
| Aircraft used by the President of the United States | Air Force One |
| Air Force One callsign | ANGOLA1 |
| Air Force One aircraft type | Boeing 747-200B series aircraft |
| Air Force One tail codes | 28000 and 29000 |
| Air Force designation for Air Force One | VC-25A |
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What You'll Learn
Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
Joint Base Andrews, located in Maryland, is a significant military facility with a rich history. It is widely known as the airport used by the President of the United States and other senior officials. The base is home to two Boeing VC-25A aircraft, which use the call sign "Air Force One" when the President is on board. This tradition of using specific military aircraft for presidential travel began during World War II, with the first purpose-built presidential aircraft, the "Sacred Cow," entering service in 1944.
Joint Base Andrews has been the main point of entry for foreign dignitaries, including kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers, popes, and military leaders, when visiting the United States. It is also known as "The President's Wing," reflecting its association with presidential travel. The 89th Airlift Wing, based at Joint Base Andrews, has the crucial role of transporting these VIPs globally.
The base has a long history, with its origins dating back to the American Civil War. In 1941, President Roosevelt designated the land for an airfield, and construction began in 1942. Over the years, Joint Base Andrews has seen various transfers and expansions, including the relocation of the Military Air Transport Service's flying units from Washington National Airport in 1961.
Joint Base Andrews continues to play a vital role in supporting presidential travel and ensuring the safety and security of the President of the United States. It is equipped with the necessary infrastructure and personnel to facilitate the unique requirements of transporting the President, the First Family, and other high-ranking officials.
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Air Force One
The "Air Force One" call sign was created in 1954, after a Lockheed Constellation carrying President Dwight D. Eisenhower entered the same airspace as a commercial airline flight using the same flight number. The first plane to bear the call sign was Columbine II, a Lockheed Constellation configured for VIP travel. The designation became official in 1962, and in the same year, President John F. Kennedy became the first president to fly in a jet specifically built for presidential use—a modified Boeing 707.
Since 1990, the presidential fleet has consisted of two highly customised Boeing 747-200B (VC-25A) aircraft, which carry the tail codes 28000 and 29000. The current aircraft are maintained and operated by the Presidential Airlift Group, part of the White House Military Office. The USAF has ordered two Boeing 747-8s to serve as the next presidential aircraft, designated VC-25Bs and expected to enter service no earlier than 2026.
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Foreign military and government officials
In certain situations, foreign governments may also offer aircraft as gifts to be used by the President of the United States, such as the highly controversial offer of a luxury Boeing 747-8 by the royal family of Qatar to the Trump administration. While this arrangement raised legal and ethical questions, it was determined by the White House and the Department of Justice that it did not violate laws against bribery or the Constitution's prohibition on foreign gifts.
It is worth noting that the use of private aircraft or specific government-owned planes by foreign military and government officials can vary depending on the country and their available resources. Some countries may opt for private corporate jets, while others may have dedicated aircraft for official use. Additionally, the use of these aircraft can change over time, with some countries transitioning from one option to another based on their needs and capabilities.
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Presidential aircraft history
The President of the United States must be ready to travel anywhere in the world at a moment's notice. The use of specific aircraft to transport the president arose during World War II due to concerns about the risks of using commercial airlines. The first dedicated aircraft proposed for presidential use was a Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express VIP transport aircraft, nicknamed Guess Where II. This aircraft was intended to carry President Franklin D. Roosevelt on international trips, but the Secret Service refused to approve it due to safety concerns.
In 1944, a C-54 Skymaster was converted into the first purpose-built presidential aircraft, dubbed the Sacred Cow. It was operated by the Army Air Force and carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference in 1945. The Sacred Cow included a sleeping area, a radio telephone, and a retractable elevator to accommodate Roosevelt's wheelchair.
In 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act, which created the US Air Force, aboard the VC-54C. He later replaced this aircraft with a modified C-118 Liftmaster, naming it the Independence. Eisenhower introduced propeller-driven aircraft to presidential service, including two Lockheed C-121 Constellations: Columbine II and Columbine III.
In 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first president to fly to Europe, aboard a VC-137A, a Boeing 707 Stratoliner. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy became the first president to fly in a jet specifically built for presidential use, a modified Boeing 707. The primary presidential aircraft has since been updated to the highly customised Boeing 747-200B series, with the Air Force designation VC-25A, commonly known as Air Force One.
Air Force One is equipped with advanced secure communications equipment and can function as a mobile command centre. It has an unlimited range, mid-air refuelling capabilities, and can accommodate the president's travel companions in 4,000 square feet of floor space across three levels. It includes a suite for the president with a large office, lavatory, and conference room, as well as a medical suite and food preparation galleys.
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VIP transport
The President of the United States has access to a variety of transportation options, including specialised jet airliners and helicopters. The most famous of these is "Air Force One", the callsign of certain aircraft when the president is on board. This is usually used to refer to one of two highly customised Boeing 747-200B series aircraft, which carry the tail codes 28000 and 29000. The Air Force designation for the aircraft is VC-25A.
Air Force One is maintained and operated by the Presidential Airlift Group, part of the White House Military Office. The aircraft has an unlimited range, can be refuelled mid-air, and includes a medical suite, two food preparation galleys, and an extensive suite for the President with a large office, lavatory, and conference room. The first aircraft procured for the President of the United States was a Douglas Dolphin (Naval designation RD-2) in 1933, although it was never used. The first sitting president to fly in an aircraft was Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 1943.
In addition to Air Force One, the President also has access to other aircraft, such as helicopters and fixed-wing planes. The President's transportation is not limited to aircraft, as they also have access to a variety of ground and water transportation options, including motorcades operated by the civilian Secret Service, boats, and even horses. Some presidents have also travelled by rail, with the first executive coach being built for President Lincoln.
In terms of airports, the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the closest airport to the nation's capital and is one of two airports owned by the federal government. It is located about five miles from Washington, D.C., in Arlington County, Virginia. The airport was originally named Washington National Airport but was renamed in 1998 by President Bill Clinton to honour former President Ronald Reagan.
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Frequently asked questions
The president uses Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (IATA: DCA, ICAO: KDCA, FAA LID: DCA), a public airport in Arlington County, Virginia, United States. It is the closest airport to the nation's capital and is one of two airports owned by the federal government. The other airport is Dulles International Airport (IAD), located about 25 miles (40 km; 22 nmi) to the west in Fairfax and Loudoun counties.
Air Force One is the official air traffic control-designated call sign for a United States Air Force aircraft carrying the president of the United States. It is maintained and operated by the Presidential Airlift Group, part of the White House Military Office. Air Force One has unlimited range and can carry the President wherever he needs to travel. Inside, the President enjoys 4,000 square feet of floor space on three levels, including an extensive suite with a large office, lavatory, and conference room.
The United States government has maintained a variety of vehicles for the president. The president's civilian transport options include trains, cars, helicopters, boats, and fixed-wing aircraft.
