Saturday, June 20, 2026

Air Force One retrofitted already? Call me deeply suspicious

 When the Qatari luxury aircraft was gifted to Trump (and which, I suspect, they probably now treat as a failed bribe, given that they didn't exactly relish being drawn into the Iran war), estimates varied a lot as to how long it would take to retrofit to "Air Force One" standards, given the amount of additional security and command post stuff that had to be crammed into it.   But it seemed clear it would take a long time:

 Three aviation experts told NBC News the conversion would cost over $1 billion and take years to complete, and one analyst, Richard Aboulafia, suggested it would take even longer and cost more. CNN-cited experts separately said the security and communications requirements made it unlikely the work could be finished quickly without compromising capability.

Now it has been delivered, but has to undergo commissioning flights.  So, it's taken less than a year.  I'm no aviation expert, but I'm deeply suspicious that it the work has as thorough as it should be.   

And here, in the NPR report, is this curious line:

The aircraft from Qatar will "serve as a bridge until the [long-term] VC-25B is delivered," according to earlier communications from the Air Force. The plane was delivered well before expectations. The Air Force originally estimated the plane would be delivered in 2028 but said by modifying requirements it could deliver the first aircraft in 2027. The modifications "were carefully crafted to prioritize mission over aesthetics, leaving much of the previous head of state interior layout minimally changed," the Air Force said.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach praised the delivery.

"Many thought it could not be done, but the United States Air Force was able to execute and provide a secure, reliable airborne command post on an accelerated timeline," he said.

Given the recent experience of Trumpian ordered refurbishment works done in an artificial hurry (see the reflecting pool), I strongly suspect it will later be revealed that this aircraft does not have all the features an Air Force One ideally should.

I wonder if some whistleblower will eventually confirm my suspicions....

 

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