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Farewell to Iconic Air Force One: A Legacy of 35 Years

KVIA•Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 8:03 PM•CNN Newsource

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AI Summary

The White House has bid farewell to the Boeing 747-200, known as Air Force One, after over 35 years of service. This aircraft, which has been in operation since 1990, completed its last flight near Washington on Thursday. As the transition begins, three modified Boeing 747-800s are set to take over the Air Force One role, with the first expected to be delivered by summer 2026. The current aircraft have a storied history, transporting U.S. presidents during critical moments, including the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The Air Force has indicated that the older planes will remain part of the fleet, although their future use is still uncertain.

Key Details: • Last flight of the VC-25A occurred on Thursday, landing at Joint Base Andrews. • Three Boeing 747-800s are being modified to serve as the new Air Force One. • The first new aircraft is expected to be delivered by summer 2026. • The modified aircraft donated by Qatar is undergoing adaptations for security and communication systems. • The current VC-25A aircraft have been in service since 1990.

military history aviation white-house air-force-one

People & Organizations

White HouseWashingtonU.S. Air ForceJoint Base AndrewsTroy MeinkDan ScavinoGreenville, TexasSteve Cheung

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