President Donald Trump reportedly used an airport catering truck and a decoy aircraft to secretly leave Turkey last month as U.S. officials responded to a credible threat from Iran.
The unusual security operation unfolded July 8 at Ankara airport following Trump’s arrival for the NATO summit, according to The Washington Post.
The maneuver was reportedly designed to make it appear that Trump was departing aboard an older Air Force One aircraft while he actually left on a smaller military jet.
Trump had arrived in Turkey aboard a newly acquired Boeing 747-8 that had been donated by Qatar.
But after intelligence officials identified a specific threat involving Iran and the president’s movements, security officials reportedly prepared a different departure plan.
Trump first boarded the older blue-and-white Boeing 747 and waved to cameras, giving the appearance that he would leave Turkey on that aircraft.
Minutes later, Trump and a small group of aides reportedly moved out of sight and entered an airport catering truck positioned at a different exit door.
The truck then carried them across the airport to a C-32A, a modified Boeing 757 typically used for high-level government travel.
Meanwhile, White House staff and members of the media boarded the older 747, apparently believing Trump was aboard.
Reporters were instructed to close their window shades before takeoff, further concealing what was happening on the ground.
The decoy aircraft then departed while Trump flew separately aboard the C-32A to RAF Mildenhall in England.
Flight-tracking information reviewed by the Post reportedly showed the older jet initially flying without a call sign before adopting the "AF1" designation in midflight.
Trump arrived in England shortly before the decoy aircraft. It remains unclear how he transferred back to the legacy Air Force One before appearing before cameras later that evening.
When reporters asked Trump in Turkey about the closed window shades, he acknowledged the security concerns surrounding his travel.
"You're probably on a dangerous flight because of the sleaze bags that we have to deal with," Trump said, adding that he faces threats constantly and is "Number One" on Iran's target list.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung defended the security measures, saying the new presidential aircraft is equipped with "high-level security protocols" designed to protect Trump and his staff.
The Air Force also said the aircraft is "safe, secure and equipped with the most advanced technologies necessary to meet the requirements of the presidential mission."