A Place In History
Air Force One served as a momentous place in history in August 1974, when presidential leadership was turned over. Following his resignation, then sitting president Richard Nixon boarded Air Force One at Andrews AFB as he headed back home to El Toro, CA. While onboard the aircraft, at approximately 12 pm EST, the role of president was officially transferred from Nixon to Gerald Ford. This was one of the most remembered events in presidential history, and it took place onboard Air Force One. The aircraft was halfway through its transcontinental trip when the callsign was then changed from Air Force One to SAM—Special Air Mission 28000—the official military callsign for the remainder of the flight.
Image: DocsTeach
Was Replaced One Time
It is the responsibility of any sitting POTUS to use Air Force One as it is intended—as the only transportation for the president. However, during the Nixon administration, that basic rule was broken. In an effort, by Nixon, to demonstrate and send a political-economic message to the people, the POTUS do the unthinkable and traveled via United Airlines. Even though he was trying to prove and illustrate a point, his fellow representatives in the administration did not see this as a prudent move. Since he was not traveling in Air Force One, the United Airlines aircraft was given the designation of Executive One. This was and continues to be the callsign when the sitting POTUS chooses to board a civilian aircraft.
Image: Twitter