Military unveils new $400 million Air Force One plane gifted by Qatar

Washington — The Air Force connected Friday unveiled the Boeing 747-8 that volition service arsenic the caller Air Force One, giving the nationalist the archetypal look astatine the $400 cardinal luxury plane the U.S. accepted arsenic a acquisition from the Qatari authorities past year.

The Air Force said successful a release that the craft volition statesman "commissioning flights" earlier entering into progressive work to transport the president. The level is present astatine Joint Base Andrews, the subject station extracurricular Washington that has served arsenic the statesmanlike airdrome for decades.

"Fresh from receiving its caller red, white, and bluish livery and the last authorities modifications, the craft has entered work to supply critical, unafraid continuity for the commandant successful chief," the Air Force said.

The caller Air Force One plane, successful a photograph released by the Air Force. Air Force

Another presumption of the caller Air Force One. Air Force

The merchandise said the level is "safe, unafraid and equipped with the astir precocious technologies indispensable to conscionable the requirements of the statesmanlike mission." The Air Force said it prioritized operational readiness implicit aesthetics, leaving the "interior layout minimally changed." That apt means the luxury finishings, leather seats and glossy wood paneling volition stay intact. 

The president traveled to Joint Base Andrews connected Friday earlier a planned travel to Camp David.

The Air Force said it leased a 747-8 past twelvemonth truthful pilots and attraction crews could statesman grooming connected the caller model. The grooming ngo besides included the acquisition of a 747-8 that had been flown by Lufthansa. Taxpayers were besides connected the hook for "a afloat three-dimensional mock-up of the interior" truthful officials could "begin familiarization training" up of the plane's arrival, the Air Force said.  

Mr. Trump arrived location from Europe connected Thursday greeting aboard a military-grade 747-2 that has served presidents for much than 30 years. White House unit posted farewell tributes to the aging level connected societal media.

Mr. Trump has rejected disapproval that accepting a acquisition level from a overseas authorities presents a struggle of involvement oregon a information risk. The medication has spent the past twelvemonth retrofitting the Qatari jumbo pitchy for statesmanlike use.

"Why should our military, and truthful our taxpayers, beryllium forced to wage hundreds of millions of Dollars erstwhile they tin get it for FREE from a state that wants to reward america for a occupation good done," Mr. Trump posted connected Truth Social past year. "Only a FOOL would not judge this acquisition connected behalf of our Country."

The president has said the Qatari pitchy would beryllium utilized until a caller fleet of Boeing planes are delivered to the Air Force successful 2028. 

As for the planes being taken retired of the statesmanlike rotation, an Air Force spokesperson said they "will soon articulation the progressive enforcement airlift fleet," which is utilized by elder members of the authorities for authoritative travel. 

Kathryn Krupnik contributed to this report.