Farewell touchdown for the plane of seven US presidents
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.After three decades and a million miles of history, the Boeing 707 that once ferried President Richard Nixon to California after his resignation has flown its last flight as Air Force One.
The aircraft, known by its tail number 27000, was the plane that took former President Jimmy Carter to meet released Iran hostages and it carried Ronald Reagan to Berlin for his famous "tear down this wall" speech.
President George W Bush took two brief flights on it on Wednesday, then officially retired 27000 as Air Force One, sending it to the Reagan Presidential Library in California.
"Any Air Force plane that carries the president bears the name Air Force One," said Bush. "Today, this plane carried a president for the last time, and soon it will be taking its last flight. It will carry no more presidents, but it will carry forever the spirit of American democracy."
The specially-configured Boeing 707-353B entered service in December, 1972, and Nixon was the first president to fly aboard. Since then, the plane has flown 444 missions and more than one million miles. Seven presidents have flown aboard the plane – more than any presidential aircraft.
In August 1974, it took off from Washington as Air Force One with Nixon aboard, but changed call signs midway across the country when Gerald Ford was sworn in as president.
Its replacement, a Boeing 747-200B, flies faster and longer and has modernised facilities.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments