local
Trump flies back from Turkey in an old Air Force One, not the Qatari-gifted jet
By Michelle L. Price and Konstantin Toropin | The Associated Press at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories
· July 8, 2026
· 5 min read
President Donald Trump flew home from a NATO summit in Turkey on an old baby blue Air Force One plane instead of the new Qatari-gifted and retrofitted red, white and navy blue jet he arrived in, a surprise swap that came as the U.S. and Iran once again began trading strikes.
Trump offered litt...
Key takeaway at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, a base used by U.
Why this matters in Frisco News
For North Texans, the surprise swap of Air Force One planes by President Trump raises questions about the security protocols in place for presidential travel, particularly given the region's significance in the country's defense industry. The fact that the new Qatari-gifted jet, which was retrofitted at a cost of $400 million, appears to lack some of the same missile detection and countermeasure systems as the older planes is especially concerning. As a major hub for defense contractors and home to several military bases, the Dallas-Fort Worth area has a vested interest in the safety and security of the President and his staff. The decision to divert the new plane to Royal Air Force Mildenhall, while Trump returns on an older aircraft, may be seen as a precautionary measure, but it also underscores the complexities of presidential security and the need for transparency in such matters.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories . Frisco News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? President Donald Trump flew home from a NATO summit in Turkey on an old baby blue Air Force One plane instead of the new Qatari-gifted and retrofitted red, white and navy blue jet he arrived in, a surprise swap that came as the U.S. and Iran once again began trading strikes.
Trump offered litt...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories and curated for Frisco News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Michelle L. Price and Konstantin Toropin | The Associated Press at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories. To learn more about how Frisco News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Frisco News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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