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Presidential aircraft parked temporarily at Westover

  • Published
  • By 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
  • 439th Airlift Wing
The aircraft that flies the president of the United States stayed here overnight.

The Boeing 747 aircraft arrived Sept. 24 after dropping off President Barack Obama in New York City for the United Nations summit. The tall, familiar blue and white plane with the presidential seal on both sides rested near the lengthening shadow of Westover's control tower, while base and presidential support security personnel stood guard.

The aircraft left the next day. There were no passengers aboard.

This is one of two VC-25As assigned to the Presidential Airlift Group, 89th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Md. The VC-25A is commonly known as "Air Force One," although that call sign is reserved for any Air Force aircraft the President is aboard.

"This is a case-study in Westover's expanding role in federal operations," said Lt. Col. James Bishop, chief of public affairs. "The presidential aircraft is parked on one ramp, and part of a squadron of A-10s is on another."