The newest Air Force One arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Friday to begin final testing before transporting the president, the Air Force announced. The Boeing VC-25B “Bridge aircraft” — donated by Qatar and freshly painted in its distinctive red, white and blue livery — will now undergo commissioning flights before entering presidential service.
The aircraft was delivered to the Presidential Airlift Group nearly two weeks after receiving its patriotic paint scheme and final government modifications. The commissioning phase represents the last hurdle before the plane can carry the president.
Foreign Donation Raises Questions About Defense Procurement
The aircraft’s designation as “Qatari-donated” marks an unusual arrangement in presidential airlift capabilities. While the Air Force has not detailed the terms of Qatar’s involvement, the Gulf nation has long maintained close military ties with the United States, hosting the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command at Al Udeid Air Base.
The VC-25B serves as an interim solution while the Air Force works on a full replacement for the aging VC-25A aircraft that have served since the George H.W. Bush administration. Those planes, modified Boeing 747-200s, are approaching 35 years of service.
Testing Phase Before Presidential Missions
Commissioning flights test all aircraft systems under operational conditions, including communications equipment, defensive countermeasures, and the specialized modifications required for presidential transport. The Presidential Airlift Group must certify the aircraft meets stringent security and reliability standards before it can receive the “Air Force One” call sign — used whenever the president is aboard.
The Air Force has not announced a timeline for completing commissioning flights or when the aircraft might enter active presidential service. The testing process typically takes several weeks to several months depending on the complexity of the aircraft and its mission requirements.
Defense officials will watch whether the “Bridge aircraft” designation signals a temporary stopgap or a longer-term addition to the presidential fleet as the service navigates budget constraints and delays in major aircraft programs.
Key Points
- Qatari-donated VC-25B delivered to Presidential Airlift Group after receiving patriotic paint scheme
- Aircraft enters commissioning phase, final testing before it can transport the president
- Serves as interim solution while current Air Force One fleet, nearly 35 years old, awaits full replacement
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2026/06/19/air-force-one-begins-commissioning-flights-final-step-before-presidential-use/ – June 20, 2026
