Mission The mission of the VC-25A aircraft, Air Force One, is to provide air transport for the president of the United States. Features The presidential air transport fleet consists of two specially configured Boeing 747-200B's - tail numbers 28000 and 29000 - with the Air Force designation VC-25A. When the president is aboard either aircraft, or any Air Force aircraft, the radio call sign is "Air Force One." Other than the number of passengers carried, the principal differences between the VC-25A and the standard Boeing 747 are the electronic and commun-ications equipment aboard Air Force One, its interior configuration and furnishings, self-contained baggage loader, front and aft air-stairs, and the capability for inflight refueling. Accommodations for the president include an executive suite consisting of a stateroom with dressing room, lavatory and shower, and the presidents office. A conference/dining room is also available for the president, his family and staff. Other separate accommodations are provided for guests, senior staff, Secret Service and security personnel, and the news media. Two galleys provide up to 100 meals at one sitting. Six lavatories, including handicap facilities, are provided as well as a rest area and mini-galley for the aircrew. The VC-25A also has a compartment outfitted with medical equipment and supplies for minor medical emergencies. These aircraft are flown by the presidential aircrew, maintained by the Presidential Maintenance Branch, and are part of Air Mobility Commands 89th Airlift Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, Md. Background Presidential air transport began in 1944 when a C-54 Skymaster - the "Sacred Cow" - was put into service for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Then came the "Independence," a DC-6 Liftmaster, which transported President Harry S. Truman during the period 1947 to 1953. President Dwight D. Eisenhower traveled aboard the "Columbine II" and "Columbine III" from 1953 to 1961. The call sign "Air Force One" was first used in September 1961, identifying President John F. Kennedy flying aboard his C-118. In 1962, the first jet aircraft, a C-137 specifically purchased for use as Air Force One, entered into service with the tail number 26000. It is perhaps the most widely known and most historically significant presidential aircraft. Tail number 26000 is the air-craft that carried President Kennedy to Dallas, Texas, Nov. 22, 1963, and in which his body was returned to Washington, D.C., following his assassination. Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn into office as the 36th president of the United States on board 26000 at Love Field in Dallas. This fateful aircraft also was used to return President Johnsons body to Texas following his state funeral, Jan. 24, 1973. In 1972 President Richard M. Nixon made historic visits aboard 26000 to the Peoples Republic of China in February and to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in May. Tail number 27000 replaced 26000 and carved its own history when it was used to fly former Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter to Cairo, Egypt, Oct. 19, 1981, to represent the United States at the funeral of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. The first VC-25A - tail number 28000 - flew as "Air Force One" on Sept. 6, 1990, when it transported President George Bush to Kansas, Florida, and back to Washington, D.C. The VC-25-A will usher presidential travel into the 21st century, upholding the proud tradition and distinction of being known as "Air Force One." General Characteristics Contractor: Boeing Airplane Co. Power Plant: Four General Electric CF6-80C2B1 jet engines. Thrust: 56,700 pounds (25,515 kilograms), each engine. Length: 231 feet, 10 inches (70.7 meters). Height: 63 feet, 5 inches (19.3 meters). Wingspan: 195 feet, 8 inches (59.6 meters). Speed: 701 mph (Mach 0.95). Ceiling: 45,100 feet (13,666.67 meters). Maximum Takeoff Weight: 833,000 pounds (374,850 kilograms). Range: 9,600 statute miles (8,348 nautical miles) (15,360 kilometers). Crew: 26: (passenger/crew capacity: 102). Introduction Date: Aug. 23, 1990 (tail No. 28000); Dec. 23, 1990 (tail No. 29000). Date Deployed: Sept. 6, 1990 (tail No. 28000); Mar. 26, 1991 (tail No. 29000). Inventory: Active force, two; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0. Point Of Contact: 89 AW/PP; Andrews AFB, MD 20331; DSN 858-2817/18 OR (301) 981-2817/18.