VC-25B ‘Bridge’: U.S. Air Force Unveils Modified $400M Qatari Jet As Trump’s Temporary Air Force One

VC-25B ‘Bridge’: U.S. Air Force unveils a modified $400 million Qatari luxury jet as temporary Air Force One. 

It will serve as an interim transport for the U.S. President until the primary “Air Force One” replacements are fully ready.

Painted in a distinctive red, white, and blue color scheme, the VC-25B Bridge will relieve pressure on the aging VC-25A fleet. 

On Friday, the US Air Force announced the arrival of the VC-25B Bridge aircraft at its Presidential Airlift Group at Joint Base Andrews, ahead of its initial commissioning flights and operational readiness testing.

Painted in a distinctive red, white, and blue color scheme, the VC-25B Bridge aircraft is a modified Boeing 747-8 luxury plane worth $400 million which the U.S. accepted as a gift from the Qatari government last year.

The VC-25B Bridge aircraft will serve as an interim transport for the U.S. President until the primary, highly modified “Air Force One” replacements are fully ready.

“Fresh from receiving its new red, white, and blue livery and the final government modifications, the aircraft has entered service to provide critical, secure continuity for the commander in chief,” the Air Force said.

In a press release, the Air Force says the delivery of the Bridge aircraft will 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.

Once the commissioning flights are successfully completed, the Air Force says that the aircraft is officially “commissioned” into the active executive airlift fleet and becomes available for presidential missions along with the VC-25A and C-32 fleets.

“We are proud to deliver the VC-25B Bridge aircraft to the President,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach. “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.”

• See Also : Bombardier Delivers Africa’s First ‘Global 8000’ Business Jet To Nigeria-based BUA Group