Trump secretly switched planes at NATO summit in Turkey following Iranian threat, with Cabinet officials flying on decoy aircraft
President Trump quietly exited the older Air Force One he was seen boarding in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8, using a catering truck to transfer unseen to a smaller Air Force C-32A military jet, while journalists and some White House staff remained on the larger plane under the belief Trump was aboard. The maneuver followed a credible Iranian threat against the president or his aircraft, according to U.S. officials. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were among those who flew out on the decoy aircraft.
On July 8, as Trump departed the NATO leaders summit in Ankara, intelligence pointed to a specific Iranian threat against the president or his aircraft, prompting what officials described as an elaborate security operation. Trump had publicly announced he would fly part of the way home aboard the older, baby-blue Air Force One, with the newer Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 sent ahead to RAF Mildenhall in Britain so U.S. service members could view it — a cover story that also served the security plan.
Television cameras captured Trump climbing the stairs of the older jet and waving before entering. Minutes later, according to reporting from The Washington Post and Fox News, a hydraulically raised catering truck pulled up to a door on the opposite side of the aircraft out of view of most of the traveling party. Trump and several aides entered the truck and were driven across the tarmac to a smaller Air Force C-32A, a modified Boeing 757, which departed under the call sign "RCH18." The larger legacy jet then flew onward using the "AF1" call sign, with journalists and some White House staff aboard. War Secretary Pete Hegseth boarded the smaller C-32A separately, according to Fox News, helping make its presence appear routine.
The C-32A carrying Trump arrived at RAF Mildenhall shortly before the legacy jet, and Trump reportedly transferred back to the larger aircraft out of view before descending its stairs in front of cameras, preserving the appearance he had been on it throughout. He later boarded the Qatari-provided 747 for the final leg back to Washington. Reporters aboard the decoy flight were instructed to keep window shades closed.