Trump flew from Turkey on older Air Force One after credible threat from Iran and its proxies - CBS News

What the report says

CBS News reported that President Trump left a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, earlier this month aboard an older Air Force One aircraft after U.S. officials identified what they described as a credible threat from Iran and allied proxy groups. According to the report, officials said U.S. intelligence detected a plot involving a possible missile strike on the presidential plane, prompting the Secret Service to shift to a backup travel plan.

Trump had traveled to Ankara on a newer Boeing 747-8 that the United States accepted from Qatar last year and had been retrofitting for presidential use, CBS News reported. After the summit, he instead flew from Ankara to the United Kingdom on the older Air Force One aircraft, then later returned to the newer plane for the final leg back to the United States. CBS noted that The New York Times first reported threats from Iranian proxies.

The aircraft change renewed scrutiny of the newer jet’s defensive capabilities. CBS News said sources familiar with the matter described the older Air Force One planes as having systems such as laser technology intended to disrupt incoming missiles, along with other diversion equipment. The report said it remains unclear what comparable systems are installed on the Qatari-donated plane.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told CBS News that the newer Air Force One is safe but will undergo additional upgrades in the fall, during which Trump will use the older aircraft. The report comes amid heightened tensions with Iran and after Trump publicly warned of U.S. military retaliation if Iran attempted to assassinate him.