The U.S. Department of Defense said on Wednesday that they have officially accepted of a high-end Boeing jet aircraft from Qatar, which may be repurposed for use as Air Force One. The New York Times was first to report the news that the Pentagon had accepted the jetliner from the government of Qatar.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth accepted the Boeing 747 “in accordance with all federal rules and regulations. The Department of Defense will work to ensure proper security measures and functional-mission requirements are considered for an aircraft used to transport the President of the United States.”
In addition, a spokesperson for the Air Force said in a statement: “As directed by the Secretary of Defense, the Air Force is preparing to award a contract to modify a Boeing 747 aircraft for executive airlift. Details related to the contract are classified.”
The acceptance of the plane from comes days after sources confirmed that the Qatari royal family would be donating aircraft for Mr. Trump’s use. Valued at $400 million, the jumbo jet — which has been described as a “flying palace” — will be donated to Mr. Trump’s future presidential library just before he leaves office.
During a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink explained that the Air Force has been tasked with overseeing the jet’s adaptation to meet the stringent security standards necessary for carrying President Donald Trump: “the secretary of defense has instructed the Air Force to begin planning the aircraft’s modifications. We’re prepared to move forward with that.”
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