President Donald Trump executed a clandestine departure from Turkey last month, utilizing a decoy aircraft and a catering truck as part of an elaborate security operation. A U.S. official confirmed that the ruse was designed to protect the president from a potential Iranian assassination threat. The operation, which was first reported by the Washington Post, highlights the extreme measures taken by American security teams to ensure the president’s safety.
The sequence of events began when officials announced that Trump would fly out of Turkey on an older presidential aircraft, a decision previously attributed to security concerns regarding a newer plane gifted by Qatar. However, this announcement served as a diversion. After boarding the older plane—a moment documented by cameras—Trump secretly exited the aircraft via a catering vehicle. He then transferred to a smaller Air Force C-32A. The Qatari-gifted plane, the older presidential aircraft, and the C-32A all departed for the United Kingdom separately, where Trump eventually rejoined the Qatari-gifted jet for the remainder of his journey home.
For weeks, public discourse had focused on the security capabilities of the Qatari-donated aircraft. Trump had frequently boasted about the new plane, despite internal concerns that it lacked the necessary security retrofitting to serve as Air Force One. The president had reportedly expressed private frustration over media coverage regarding the plane’s perceived deficiencies. White House spokesperson Steven Cheung defended the aircraft, stating, “The new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft that has been fitted with high-level security protocols that ensure the safety of the President and his staff. As the President has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal to address those threats.”
Journalists traveling with the president provided a detailed account of the unusual departure from Ankara’s Esenboga Airport. Trump was confirmed to be aboard the older Air Force One at 8:26 p.m. local time, with the plane taking off 17 minutes later. During the flight, members of the press pool were instructed to keep their window shades closed. While unusual, the directive was enforced by Secret Service agents who insisted that photographers keep their shades lowered throughout the trip. When asked about the instruction later, Trump remarked, “because you’re probably on a dangerous flight because of the sleaze bags that we have to deal with.” He added, “They didn’t ask me to close mine, but if they did, I would’ve done it. But if I go, you go. Right? Perhaps someday you want to change professions.”
Upon arrival at RAF Mildenhall in England at 10:29 p.m. local time, the security measures remained tight. It took approximately 20 minutes before the press was notified that an underwing camera shot was being prepared for the president’s arrival. This delay was significantly longer than the typical eight-minute window observed during a previous trip. When the press eventually captured images, the stair car was already positioned and the aircraft door was open, suggesting a rapid transition. Security presence on the tarmac was also noted to be heavier than usual.
Trump was later seen boarding the Qatari-gifted aircraft at 11:01 p.m. When questioned about the aircraft switch during the flight, the president claimed the change was intended to give U.S. service members stationed at the base “a chance to tour the Aircraft,” insisting there were “no issues.” This account contrasted with the earlier security-driven maneuvers.
The president ultimately arrived at Joint Base Andrews, deplaning at 1:23 a.m. ET. A pool note documented that he saluted and quickly entered his vehicle, known as “the Beast,” concluding the high-stakes transit. The incident has shifted focus toward the nature of the threats facing the president and the extent to which media and staff were unknowingly utilized as part of a decoy security strategy. The report also notes that air Force One was wheels up at 8:43 p.m. The report also notes that local time, according to a subsequent pool report, 17 minutes later. The report also notes that they were quickly told to lower it again, when a photographer attempted to lift a shade. The report also notes that that, though, was apparently part of the subterfuge. The report also notes that sent in light of the secret plane revelation, noted that a Secret Secret agent came back to the press cabin to remind the media to keep the shades closed, a supplemental pool note from ABC’s Michelle Stoddart on Tuesday. The report also notes that but it wasn’t until roughly 20 minutes later that the pool notified news networks that an underwing shot — a camera angle from underneath the wing of the plane — was being set up to capture the president deplaning. The report also notes that that timing was notably faster than what crews typically experience. The report also notes that usually, it takes several minutes for the president to deplane after the pool crew has assembled under the aircraft.
