ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Although it may seem recent, AI can be traced back to Roman and Greek myths, often intertwined with hopes and fears connected to religious beliefs. However, it was in the 1950s that the applications we enjoy today began to take shape, and as a result, for good, and/or bad, they are shaping a new way of living. To understand what's coming, we must explore what's been!
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
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Air Force One is the official air traffic control call sign, not the name of a specific plane, for any United States Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. Most commonly, it refers to the specially outfitted Boeing 747-200B series aircraft (with tail numbers 28000 and 29000) that are used to transport the President. It serves as a secure, mobile command center for the President and provides transportation around the world.
The 232-foot-long aircraft has four jet engines, each with 56,700 pounds of thrust. It has a max speed of 630 miles per hour and can fly up to 45,100 feet. While it has a range of 7,800 statute miles, Air Force One can be refueled mid-air, allowing it to stay in the air for extended periods without landing, which is vital during emergencies. It can generate its own electricity and water, and stores 50,000 pounds of food and water to support everyone onboard for long flights.
The call sign "Air Force One" was established in 1953 after a private plane carrying President Eisenhower was mistakenly identified by air traffic control as a commercial flight with the same call letters. Retired Air Force One planes vary in destination. The SAM 27000, used by President Nixon through to George W. Bush, was shipped to California’s Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. President Eisenhower's Columbine II was retired in 1968 and sold to a private buyer. President Truman's plane, a military version of the Douglas DC-6, was retired to the National Museum of the USAF in Dayton, Ohio. At the suggestion of the aircraft’s pilot, Truman named it The Independence in recognition of his hometown, Independence, Mo. One of the plane’s most historic flights occurred in October 1950, when it carried Truman to Wake Island to discuss the Korean War situation with General Douglas MacArthur.
"Marine One" is the call for helicopters transporting the President. It includes perks like 200 square feet of interior space and a bathroom., and it's so soundproof that passengers can speak at a normal volume. It's often used to transport the president for shorter trips to places like Camp David and Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to board Air Force One.
Among the most secure aircraft in the world, Air Force One is equipped with state-of-the-art defensive systems, including radar jamming technology and anti-missile countermeasures. Its reinforced structure is built to resist attacks and withstand electromagnetic pulses. The plane is also equipped with chaff and flares that, when deployed, burn at a high enough temperature to misguide a targeting missile.
Aboard the plane, the President has access to secure communications that enable contact with military commanders and top officials at any moment. It is also capable of aerial refueling, allowing it to remain airborne indefinitely if necessary. In addition, a fully equipped medical suite, with surgical facilities and medical professionals, ensures the President’s health is safeguarded in any situation.
Air Force One is manned by an elite team of U.S. Air Force personnel, including specially trained pilots, flight engineers, and technical experts. These crew members undergo rigorous preparation to manage both routine missions and high-stakes emergencies. They work closely with logistics coordinators, support teams, and Secret Service agents to ensure that every presidential flight operates seamlessly and securely.
The salary of a pilot for Air Force One can vary based on rank, experience, and specific assignments. Generally, Air Force pilots are compensated according to the military pay scale, which is determined by rank and years of service. As of 2025, a typical salary range for a U.S. Air Force pilot might be between $70,000 to over $150,000 annually, depending on their rank (e.g., major or lieutenant colonel) and time in service. Additionally, Air Force One pilots may receive special pay and benefits related to their unique responsibilities, which could enhance their overall compensation. That may include food and housing, vacation, insurance, education and potential bonus.
Air Force One has played a key role in many defining moments of American history, serving as the setting for critical decisions, historic diplomacy, and deeply personal episodes in presidential life. One of its most significant chapters came in 1963 when it transported Lyndon B. Johnson, who was sworn in, back to Washington after President John F. Kennedy's assassination.
The aircraft is not routinely escorted by fighter jets in U.S. airspace. While it's a rare occurrence, they may be deployed for escorts during specific high-threat situations, national emergencies like 9/11, or when flying into or near active combat zones. President George W. Bush was flown to multiple undisclosed locations aboard Air Force One to ensure his safety and allow for uninterrupted communication with national leaders.
More recently, it has carried Presidents on groundbreaking diplomatic missions, including Barack Obama’s visits to Cuba, China, and Russia, reinforcing its role as a tool of diplomacy and defense.
In 2018, the United States, under President Donald Trump, signed a $3.9 billion contract with Boeing to design, modify, and test two planes to serve as Air Force One by 2024. However, persistent delays have pushed the project past its delivery estimate, which has been revised for 2029. In 2019, the Pentagon announced that the total estimated cost of building, equipping, and testing the planes would be approximately $5.3 billion. When the 747-8 takes flight as the next Air Force One, Boeing airplanes will mark more than half a century of presidential service through the Jet Age.
The Trump administration has resorted to procuring a $400 million jet from Qatar to serve as the interim Air Force One. The jet was a gift from the Qatari Royal Family, which will be worked on to ensure that proper security measures and functional mission requirements are considered, and could cost millions. The plan is for the aircraft to be donated to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation upon the end of Trump's term in office.
