Secret plane swap during Trump's departure from Turkey: Air Force One used as a 'decoy'

It has been alleged that during U.S. President Donald Trump's departure from Turkey in July, he was transferred to another military aircraft in a secret security operation due to an assassination threat reportedly originating from Iran.

According to a report by The Washington Post, the older Air Force One, which was believed to be carrying Trump, took off with journalists and some White House staff on board. The report stated that the aircraft was used as a decoy to conceal the president's true location.

The operation allegedly took place as Trump was leaving Turkey following the NATO Summit held in Ankara on July 8. It was stated that U.S. intelligence units had received credible information regarding a potential attack on Trump or the presidential aircraft.

HE WAS TAKEN OFF THE PLANE VIA A CATERING TRUCK

Trump was filmed boarding the old blue-and-white Air Force One in front of cameras at Ankara Airport. However, according to the report, the actual security plan was implemented shortly thereafter.

It was reported that Trump and some high-level officials accompanying him were taken onto an aircraft catering truck that pulled up to the side of the plane hidden from the cameras. It was noted that the platform of the vehicle, normally used for transporting food and supplies, was raised to the plane's door, and Trump was transferred from there to a C-32A military aircraft waiting nearby.

After Trump's departure, the old Air Force One took off with journalists and White House staff. The report stated that most of those on board thought the president was still with them, and some White House employees were not even aware of the plane swap.

During the flight, journalists were instructed to keep the window shades in the press section closed. Meanwhile, it was stated that the C-32A carrying Trump was heading toward RAF Mildenhall base in the UK.

'AIR FORCE ONE' CALL SIGN WAS NOT USED

According to The Washington Post, the C-32A carrying Trump did not travel with the "Air Force One" call sign used for aircraft carrying the president, but rather with an ordinary military flight code, "Reach 18." It was also claimed that the aircraft did not appear on standard flight tracking systems.

In contrast, it was reported that the old presidential aircraft carrying the journalists and staff continued its journey using the "AF1" code. It was stated that the plane carrying Trump arrived in the UK at approximately 22:20, and Air Force One landed a few minutes later.

Details regarding how Trump was transferred back to the old Air Force One in the UK are unknown. However, it was reported that shortly after, he appeared before cameras descending the stairs of the old Air Force One, thereby creating the impression that he had traveled from Turkey to the UK on that plane the entire time.

It was noted that the primary reason for the operation was a credible assassination threat said to have come from Iran. The report emphasized that the implementation of this security measure was notable at a time when U.S. military activities against Iran were increasing and Turkey was a neighboring country to Iran.

A statement Trump made to journalists during his departure from Turkey also resurfaced following the report. When asked why the shades were kept closed during the flight, Trump had said they were likely on a "dangerous flight" due to the enemies of the U.S.

The Washington Post recalled that a similar deception method was used during the visit of then-U.S. President Bill Clinton to Pakistan in 2000. However, in the incident involving Trump, it was noted that even the journalists who thought they were traveling with the president were not informed of the plane swap.

The White House did not deny the report that Trump was secretly transferred to another plane. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung stated that the new Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and high-level security protocols designed to protect the president and his staff.

News Source: 12punto