President Donald Trump has unveiled the new Air Force One, a Boeing 747-8 jet valued at an estimated $400 million. The jet was donated by the Qatari government last year as an unconditional gift.
The aircraft has undergone final government modifications and bears a new red, white, and blue livery. According to President Trump, the plane was transformed into a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody’s ever seen before.
The US Air Force said the jet will begin commissioning flights as a final exam for the aircraft modification before it is used to transport the president. The Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs stated that the delivery of the Bridge aircraft fulfills an imperative to relieve pressure on the aging VC-25A fleet as heavy maintenance cycles extend, safeguarding the continuity of presidential airlift operations until the long-term Boeing VC-25B enters service.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach expressed pride in delivering the VC-25B Bridge aircraft to the President, noting that 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.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
