Reagan makes first, last flight in jet he ordered

  • Published
  • By Rudi Williams
  • American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  The blue-and-white presidential jet that brought the flag-draped coffin of former President Ronald Reagan to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on June 9 is an aircraft he ordered before he left office, but this was his first ride in it.

President Reagan ordered two identical Boeing 747s to replace the aging presidential Boeing 707s he traveled in as president. First lady Nancy Reagan designed the interior decor of the planes in a style reminiscent of the desert Southwest.

One plane was delivered shortly after President Reagan left office. President George H.W. Bush, in September 1990, was the first leader to fly in one of the new planes.

The presidential air transport fleet consists of two specially configured Boeing 747-200Bs with the Air Force designation VC-25. The radio call sign "Air Force One" is used when the president is aboard either aircraft, or any other Air Force aircraft.

Special features of the aircraft include state-of-the-art navigation, electronic and communications equipment, special interior configuration and furnishing, a self-contained baggage loader, front and aft air-stairs and the capability for in-flight refueling.

The uniquely configured aircraft come with an executive suite consisting of a stateroom outfitted with a dressing room, lavatory and shower and the president's office. A combination conference/dining room is available for the president and his family and staff. Separate accommodations are provided for guests, senior staff, Secret Service and security personnel and the news media.

There are two galleys where up to 100 meals can be served at one sitting. There is also a rest area and mini-galley for the aircrew.

Comfort areas include six passenger lavatories, including access facilities for people with disabilities. The VC-25 also has a compartment outfitted with medical equipment and supplies for minor medical emergencies.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first U.S. president to be provided air transport, which began in 1944 when a C-54 Skymaster -- the "Sacred Cow" -- was put into service, officials at Andrews.

President Harry S. Truman was flown in a DC-6 "Independence' (Liftmaster) from 1947 to 1953. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953 to 1961, traveled aboard the "Columbine II" and "Columbine III."

President John F. Kennedy's VC-137, a modified Boeing 707, was the first aircraft to be popularly known as "Air Force One."

Perhaps the most widely known and most historically significant presidential aircraft is the C-137C that was specifically purchased for use as the presidential aircraft in 1962. With Tail No. 26000, the aircraft carried President Kennedy to Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, and returned his body to Washington following his assassination.

President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn into office as the 36th president on board the aircraft at Love Field in Dallas. Officials said this fateful aircraft also was used to return President Johnson's body to Texas following his state funeral Jan. 24, 1973.

In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon made historic visits aboard 26000 to China and the Soviet Union.

Tail No. 26000 was retired in May 1998 and is on display at the U.S. Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

The first VC-25A -- Tail No. 28000 -- flew as "Air Force One" on Sept. 6, 1990, when it transported President George H.W. Bush to Kansas, Florida and back to Washington.

A second VC-25A -- Tail No. 29000 -- transported Presidents Clinton, Carter and Bush to Israel for the funeral of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on Nov. 6, 1995.

On Feb. 6, 2004, the dedication and unveiling ceremony was held for a cornerstone for the building that will house President Reagan's presidential aircraft at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, Calif.

The new Air Force One Pavilion will display the Boeing 707 used by President Reagan while in office. Boeing Co. workers are restoring it. This plane, with Tail No. 27000, flew in presidential service for 28 years. The pavilion is scheduled for completion in 2005. The cornerstone was dedicated Feb. 6, 2004, to honor President Reagan on his 93rd birthday.