Supporting America’s “Air Force One” VC-25s

Air Force One

The USA’s fleet of 2 “VC-25” 747-200 derivatives is unique in several respects. It’s more popularly known as the latest incarnation of the “Air Force One” fleet that transports the President of the United States around the world, though the planes themselves only acquire the “Air Force One” call sign when the President is on board. The VC-25 can also serve as a secondary command post, thanks to a suite of advanced communications and electronics gear that’s both highly encrypted, and protected from the Electro-Magnetic Pulse effects of nuclear detonations. The 89th Airlift Wing operates them from Andrews AFB, MD.

During the Cold War, if humanity’s time on earth had been cut short, at least one of the orders would almost certainly have come from a 707-based “VC-137” predecessor. The 747-based VC-25s were ordered in 1985, and added to the fleet in 1990, where they continue to serve in the same roles, flying an average of nearly 200,000 miles per year. Of course, maintenance and upgrades are still required, such as the 2002/2003 upgrades that let the President address the nation from on board, new defensive systems, etc…

Syrian Regime Increases Bombing While Some Rebels Yield to AQ

• Syrian rebels armed and trained by the US surrendered to al-Qaeda [The Telegraph], with armament that may include TOW missiles. These aren’t an international concern, but they will make Daesh more formidable. See DID’s coverage from December last year of Saudi TOW missile sales, including justified stories that the Saudis would be acting as a transfer point.

• The Syrian regime escalates [AFP] barrel bomb attacks [Human Rights Watch].

• ISIS is advertising [Daily Mail] for skilled oil plant professionals. Competitive pay. Experience dodging Paveways a plus. Just try not to miss your metrics, we’ve heard bad things about the exit interview…

• Daily Beast: US Military Hates White House ‘Micromanagement’ of ISIS War.

• Iraq is preparing a large offensive against ISIS that would seek to isolate the insurgents in a few major strongholds while cutting their supply lines, according to the NYT. The US has about 1,400 troops in Iraq acting as advisers at the moment, and that number may rise in months to come.