Air Force One is arguably the most famous private jet in the world, with it being the President of the United States’ private aircraft. With that being said, few remember the Vice President’s Air Force Two aircraft.
Due to safety concerns, the President and Vice President of the United States can never fly together. As such, both need completely different aircraft when they’re traveling by air.
Air Force One’s history is well known, expediting through films such as Air Force One. The history of Air Force Two on the other hand, is less well known…
Pre-Air Force One
The concept of government owned aircraft predates the Wright Brothers’ first flight in 1903. Many contemporary journalists saw the airship designs of people like Alberto Santos-Dumont and saw the future.
Many of them saw that one day, the world would become a smaller place, thanks to people flying on airships. Many more saw the military potential of these airships, believing that future conflict would be won thanks to them.
When the Wright Brothers first flew their heavier-than-air aircraft in December 1903, many people knew it would change the world. Very soon, heavier-than-air aircraft replaced the previously sought-after airships.
Despite this, politicians never the political use of aircraft for things like Presidential campaigns. Most politicians believed that aircraft were too dangerous, and would only result in chaos if the president flew on one.
As such, they continued to use trains in order to deliver speeches all over the world. Here, a presidential candidate would travel alongside all of their advisers (and their Vice Presidential candidate) to accompany this.
Eventually, the President and Vice President would take different trains, often traveling on completely separate routes to get to the same place. this ensured that if the President was injured or died, the Vice President would be safe.
Introduction of Air Force One
In 1945, Franklin Roosevelt needed an aircraft in order to attend the Yalta Conference in modern-day Ukraine in order to decide the fate of Europe after WWII was over.
This aircraft, a converted Douglas C-54 Skymaster (Douglas DC-4) was chosen in favor of aircraft like the Boeing 314 Clipper as the threat of Nazi U-Boat attacks were too great to risk.
FDR’s VC-54, which he nicknamed Sacred Crow would incidentally become the first Air Force One, albeit without the official call sign. Upon FDR’s death later on in 1945, his successor, Harry Truman would continue to use the aircraft.
During FDR’s presidency, his then-Vice President, Harry S. Truman would accompany him aboard the Sacred Crow. This how Truman would get to the Yalta Conference (although he didn’t really do much…)
During Truman’s Presidency, he would continue to use FDR’s Sacred Crow, whilst sorting out the introduction of the Douglas VC-118 (a modified C-118, itself a modified variant of the Douglas DC-6).
Following the introduction of the VC-118, the VC-54 would remain as a backup for the VC-118. Alternatively, it would be used as the aircraft for the Vice-President, if they had an engagement which required flying.
Introduction of Air Force Two
Truman’s successor, President Eisenhower, would similarly introduce a new aircraft to be used as his personal aircraft. Unlike his predecessors though, Eisenhower chose to introduce three of them, rather than one.
This would make it easier to have aircraft placed strategically in the event that one was damaged. Alternatively, one could be used to transport his Vice President, whilst he flew elsewhere.
Eisenhower would introduce the turbine-powered Lockheed VC-121, a militarized Lockheed Constellation. These aircraft were named Columbine I, Columbine II and Columbine III after the state flower of Colorado.
These aircraft would be the first presidential aircraft to use the Air Force One callsign when carrying the President. When they were carrying the Vice President, they would use the callsign Air Force Two.
With the introduction of the 707-derived Boeing VC-137 in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, the VC-121 was retired, both as Air Force One and Two. In its place, the VC-137 would also serve as Air Force Two.
However, not all trips required the large 707-derived VC-137 (and not all runways could accommodate such a large aircraft). As such, the Douglas VC-9 (militarized DC-9) was introduced for short-haul trips.
Modern Era
Throughout the mid-to-late 1980’s, the USAF and President Ronald Regan had been looking for a replacement to the ageing VC-137s. Several aircraft were considered, but ultimately the 747 won out.
However, President Reagan decided that the Vice President didn’t require such a large aircraft. This was due to it having the potential to trick people into believing the President was in town.
As such, he decided that two militarized Boeing 757s would serve as then-Vice President George H. W. Bush’s Air Force Two. However, these aircraft wouldn’t be delivered until 1994, during Bill Clinton’s presidency.
In the mean time, the VC-9 would serve as the primary Air Force Two, with the USAF operating several Gulfstream C-20s (militarized Gulfstream IIIs) for short haul routes.
Upon the militarized 757’s (now renamed the Boeing C-32) introduction in 1994, the VC-9 once again became the backup Air Force Two. The Gulfstream C-20 would continue to serve on routes that didn’t require a flying office.
The C-20A and B was withdrawn from service as Air Force Two in 2002. However, several C-20Cs still operate as a backup to the VC-25A whenever it is acting as Air Force One.
The VC-9 would be retired in 2011, to be replaced by the newer Gulfstream C-37, a militarized Gulfstream V private jet.
Specs
Although there are several different aircraft that have been used by recent vice presidents as Air Force Two, by far the two most common Air Force Two aircraft are the Boeing C-32A (757) and the Gulfstream C-37B (GV).
Due to the fact that the C-32 and C-37 are naturally completely different aircraft, their specs are rather different. The C-37 is slowly replacing the C-32 as the common Air Force Two aircraft…
| Specifications | C-32A | C-37B |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 155 ft 3 in (47.32 m) | 96 ft 5 in (29.4 m) |
| Wingspan | 124 ft 8 in (38 m) | 93 ft 6 in (28.5 m) |
| Height | 44 ft 6 in (13.56 m) | 25 ft 10 in (7.9 m) |
| Crew | 16 (Dependent on mission) | 2 – 4 (Dependent on mission) |
| Passengers | 45 | 14 – 19 |
| Speed | 0.86 Mach (974 km/h; 605 mph; 526 kn) | 0.85 Mach (1,050 km/h; 652 mph; 567 kn) |
| Range | 5,650 nmi (6,500 mi; 10,460 km) | 6,750 nmi (7,770 mi, 12,500 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 42,000 ft (14,000 m) | 51,000 ft (16,000 m) |
| MTOW | 256,000 lb (116,120 kg) | 91,000 lb (41,277 kg) |
Inside
For Air Force One, the current President and First Lady get to redesign certain parts of the aircraft’s interior, with most famous example of this, being the carpet.
The same courtesy is extended to the Vice President and the Second Lady for Air Force Two. Although, recent Vice Presidents have rarely done this, due to the age of the C-32 and worries that it may cause more problems than its worth.
As with the Boeing VC-25A that acts as Air Force One, the C-32 is a “flying office”. This means that it has a conference room area, offices, photocopier-printers, fast WiFi, satellite communications and other office essentials.
This allows the Vice President and their staff to continue to work and run the country, even whilst they are flying from place to place on official business.
The C-32 is also equipped with a kitchen and other essentials on long haul flights. On top of this, the C-32 is also equipped with a bedroom (for the Vice President and the Second Lady).
Other Aircraft
Officially, there are four C-32s and five C-37s which operate as Air Force Two. For the most part, these are the only aircraft that the Vice President uses, however, sometimes they are unavailable.
Many people don’t realize that these aircraft also carry around other people than the Vice President, albeit without the Air Force Two callsign. Military leaders, Congressional and Senate leaders and the First Lady all use these aircraft too.
If it is a period where these people need to be in the air a lot, be it a national emergency, or a period of political turmoil, the Vice President may have no other option than to fly on another aircraft.
Historically speaking, this was incredibly rare, as there were more than enough aircraft to accommodate all these people. If it did happen, the US Government would use a military skytrain to transport the Vice President.
If the skytrains were also unavailable or there were none in the local vicinity, the protocol was to charter a private jet. However, these would only be from vetted airlines with close ties to the US Government.
Today, if the C-32s and C-37s are unavailable, the USAF uses its Boeing C-40 flying offices as Air Force Two. This has happened several times to Vice President Mike Pence during the Trump Administration.
Uses With Other Presidents
Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama have all used the C-32 and C-37 on certain occasions, when the VC-25A was too big to be flown to a particular place, be it on the campaign trail or for official business.
All three former presidents were known to use the aircraft quite regularly, often using it several times per month. When they weren’t using it, their vice presidents were using the aircraft quite often.
The first vice president to utilize Air Force Two in its modern form was Walter Mondale under President Carter. Every vice president since him, including the current one, has flown on Air Force Two.
Trump Era
During the Trump Era, the C-32 has seen a lot of use. Regardless of his politics, President Trump and his Vice President, Mike Pence, have made numerous visits around the world to meet various world leaders.
For most international visits, President Trump has used the standard VC-25A as Air Force One, whilst Mike Pence has used the C-32 as Air Force Two. The only time most presidents use the C-32 is when the runway can’t accommodate the VC-25A.
However, during the Trump Administration, he has only used the VC-25A when it is absolutely necessary, such as visiting a strong US ally. When this is not the case, President Trump has preferred the C-32.
On the surface of it, this may seem strange, but there is a reason for this: it’s the same as Trump’s personal jet, affectionately named “Trump Force One” during the 2016 Presidential Election.
Whilst Trump has used one C-32 as Air Force One, his Vice President, Mike Pence, has either used another of the four C-32s or another aircraft entirely. Commonly, this is the C-40 or the newer C-37.
During the 2020 Presidential Election campaign, Trump has used both aircraft, depending on where he is flying to/from. Vice President Pence has also done the same with the C-32 and C-37.
Future
The 757-derived C-32s are sadly becoming too old and fuel inefficient to operate, costing around $30,000 per hour to operate, mostly consisting of the fuel costs.
Nearing the end of Obama’s Presidency, this issue was highlighted. However, due to Obama’s Presidency almost being over, the former President struggled to get new legislation passed. This included the C-32.
As such, in 2018, President Trump chose to begin a federal contract to study designs for the C-32’s replacement. This was done at the same time the new Air Force One (VC-25B) was chosen.
As of the time of writing, there are several potential replacements for the C-32. One of them is the 737-derived Boeing C-40, which has a similar range, and has already served in a similar capacity with the USAF.
Boeing has also offered a militarized variant of the Boeing 767, with similar specs to the KC-767 tanker. Militarized variants of the 777 and 787 have also been suggested as potential replacements as well.
Several other aircraft manufacturers, based both inside and outside of the US have offered their own aircraft for this role. However, no decision has been made for the aircraft at the moment.
Current Boeing C-32s
As said before, the current C-32 aircraft (both the C-32A and the C-32B) are currently being phased out in favor of the smaller and more fuel efficient C-37s. This is expected to be completed by 2023 at the latest.
Once these C-32s are withdrawn from service as Air Force Two, they will have one of several different things happen to them.
For the vast majority of them, they will be transferred to the Air Force Reserve. Here, they will be reassigned to various units around the US, to serve as executive transport for the USAF Reserve’s high ranking officers.
Alternatively, they will be turned into skytrains, transporting USAF Reserve airmen all around the world. Often, where the other skytrains are too small to properly handle.
Some of the currently active C-32s will be donated to air museums all over the US, just as previous Air Force Ones have been. Many of these will be turned into museum exhibits that show what it was like when the Vice President flew.
The other main option for the USAF will be to auction off all or some of the C-32s. Whilst people collect coins or wine or whatever, a few very wealthy people collect military aircraft, and will pay top dollar for an authentic C-32!
What do you think about the history of Air Force Two? Tell me in the comments!