The Secret Service reportedly advised President Donald Trump to return from Turkey on an older Air Force One instead of the new presidential aircraft gifted by Qatar, citing precautionary measures.

According to a New York Times report, this recommendation came after hostilities between the U.S. and Iran resumed while President Trump was in Turkey for a NATO summit.

Although the Secret Service stated there were no specific or credible threats against the President, they advised using the existing presidential aircraft as a safeguard against potential contingencies.

This measure highlights the extensive security protocols implemented to protect the Commander-in-Chief during periods of heightened international tension. 

According to The New York Times and ABC News, President Trump departed Turkey on the older Boeing VC-25A, which has served as Air Force One for decades, before switching to the newly retrofitted Boeing 747-8 at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom for his return to Washington.

Passengers on the older aircraft were instructed to keep window shades down during takeoff, and flight tracking data shows the plane's transponder was not activated until it had crossed the Black Sea—a standard security procedure used when transporting the President through high-risk areas.

President Trump publicly denied claims that he switched aircraft due to security concerns, stating that the new aircraft was flown separately so that U.S. troops stationed in the U.K. could tour the "magnificent" plane.

Meanwhile, President Trump told reporters, "I am the number one target for Iran." He later added that because of the threat from Tehran, the passengers had "probably taken a dangerous flight."

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung described the new aircraft as a "state-of-the-art plane equipped with top-tier security protocols that ensure the safety of the President and his staff."

Cheung also added that because "many of America's enemies are targeting Trump," the administration is "using every means at our disposal, including distraction and redirection, to counter those threats."

Left-leaning media outlets are raising questions about the capabilities of the aircraft gifted by Qatar following President Trump's decision to use the older Air Force One on his return from the NATO summit.

According to The New York Times, current and former defense officials have questioned whether the compressed development schedule allowed for the installation of all classified defensive features found on the long-serving VC-25A, such as advanced missile countermeasures and protection against electromagnetic pulse attacks.

These reports surfaced despite the Air Force having spent nearly $400 million over approximately one year to retrofit the new Air Force One.

While the Air Force maintains that the aircraft meets all necessary security, safety, and communication standards, they explained that some highly complex engineering modifications intended for the next-generation Air Force One fleet were intentionally omitted from this interim "bridge" aircraft.

Meanwhile, officials emphasized that the Secret Service's recommendation was not based on any confirmed specific threat against the President, but rather reflected prudent security planning during a time of escalating conflict.

U.S. NNP = Representative Reporter Sung Ku Hong / Special Syndicate for this publication NNP info@newsandpost.com