Qatar Gifts Luxury Jet to US, To Be Refitted as Air Force One
Qatar Gifts Luxury Jet to US
The Pentagon has officially accepted a luxurious Boeing 747 from Qatar to be used as a future Air Force One, according to a statement released Wednesday. This move comes as the US continues to wait on the completion of two new presidential planes from Boeing, which have faced numerous delays.
Pentagon Assures Safety and Security
Sean Parnell, the chief Pentagon spokesman, emphasized that the acceptance of the jet followed all federal regulations. He reassured the public that the Department of Defense would work diligently to ensure the aircraft meets the highest security standards and functional requirements needed to safely transport the president.
Air Force Taking the Lead on Modifications
Troy Meink, the secretary of the Air Force, stated during a Senate hearing on Tuesday that the Air Force would be responsible for modifying the aircraft to meet the necessary security standards for presidential travel. He confirmed that the secretary of defense has already directed the Air Force to begin planning these modifications.
Boeing Continues Building New Air Force One Planes
While the US welcomes this generous gift from Qatar, Boeing is still under contract to build two new presidential planes. These new planes have faced significant delays over the years, leaving the US relying on older aircraft for presidential travel.
An Air Force spokesperson confirmed that a contract will be awarded to modify the Qatari jet, but details about the contract remain classified.
