Although the name Air Force One suggests that only one aircraft transports the President throughout the nation and the world, the current presidential fleet consists of two nearly identical and specially configured 747-200B series planes put into service in 1990. These planes — VC-25A aircraft with tail numbers 28000 and 29000 — are maintained and operated by the Presidential Airlift Group and based just outside the nation’s capital at Andrews AFB. When the president is aboard either aircraft, or any other Air Force aircraft, the radio call signal for that plane is “Air Force One.”

Probably the most famous jetliner in the world, Air Force One looks like any commercial jumbo jet except for its distinctive exterior. Painted shades of blue and white, the plane’s design — by noted industrial designer Raymond Loewy — includes the U.S. flag painted on the tail, the words “United States of America” emblazoned on the fuselage, and the Presidential Seal. Inside, it is clear that this is no ordinary plane. In addition to private quarters for the President and First Lady, there are two galleys where food is prepared, a conference/dining room, office space for senior staff members, and work and rest areas for the presidential staff, Air Force crews, and media representatives traveling with the President.

Presidential air transport began in 1944 when a C-54 dubbed the “Sacred Cow” was used to transport President Franklin D. Roosevelt. That plane was replaced by President Harry S. Truman’s DC-6, known as “Independence.” President Dwight D. Eisenhower flew on Super Constellations named “Columbine II” and “Columbine III” from 1953 until mid-1959 when the first jet aircraft (three C-137As) were added to the presidential fleet.

Although the call sign “Air Force One” has been used to designate the President’s plane since the 1950s, it was President Kennedy’s 707 that became known to the nation and the world as “Air Force One” in 1963 at the time of his assassination. In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon made historic visits to the People’s Republic of China and the Soviet Union aboard this plane, which today is on display at the U.S. Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, OH.