Thread: Air force ones
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Old 02-12-2003, 10:44 PM
AlphaSigOU AlphaSigOU is offline
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Location: Huntsville, Alabama - ahem - Kwaj East!
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If you're referring to the shoes... they're Nike Air Force Ones, But if you're referring to the Presidential aircraft, Air Force One is actually a call sign.

The call sign is assigned to any U.S. Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. Whenever he flies the VH-3D Presidential helicopter from the South Lawn of the White House to Andrews Air Force Base, the helicopter is operated by the Marines, hence its call sign when the President's aboard is Marine One. Likewise, if the aircraft is owned by the Navy or Army, then it is Navy One or Army One, respectively. Should he board a Cessna 172 owned by John Q. Public at Podunk Airpark, the callsign for that aircraft is Executive One.

The primary Presidential aircraft is VC-25A 82-8000. (VC-25A is the military designation for the Boeing 747-200B aircraft). A second aircraft, serial number 92-9000, is kept as a backup. There are occasions where the President may fly smaller aircraft, such as the C-32A (Boeing 757-200), C-9C (DC-9) or C-20 (Gulfstream III) aircraft.

The Vice President's call sign is Air Force Two. Same rule applies to aircraft of different services. Sorry, the Speaker of the House or others in the presidential line of succession don't rate special call signs when flying military aircraft.

If the First Lady is flying alone, her call sign is Executive One Alpha.
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