Subj : Re: AF1 spotted...
To   : Rug Rat
From : Aviation HQ
Date : Fri Jun 27 2025 12:02:13

RR> Coul dhave always been the decoy aircraft, the SAM's always travel in
RR> pairs AFIK
 
Not really ... they are identical twins except for the tail number, 28000 and 29000. The otherone not carrying the President flies to an airport or military field in the vicinity and remains on stand-by with the same capabilities and catering in case the primary aircraft malfunctions. Then it is ferried.
 
So it's not really a decoy.
 
AF1 also uses military corridors and shies away from standard transponders, most of the time you cannot track it except when it enters civilian airways, for separation purposes. The decoys that indeed fly along most of the trip are large military cargo planes, usually the Boeing C17 Globemaster which will fly in front of AF1 until just before landing and then veeres away.

--- DB4 - 20230201
 * Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)

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