While many people assume that AFO is one plane, it’s actually really a name. Whatever plane the President is flying in is called AFO. However, the president doesn’t always fly on airplanes. If the President is flying in an Army aircraft, it takes on the name Army One. And, if he’s in a helicopter, it’s called Marine One. So Marine One is the radio call sign for a Marine Corps helicopter that is transporting the president.
Lockheed is building six new helicopters for Marine One, and the first is expected to enter service in 2020. Helicopters in the Marine One fleet have ballistic armor and anti-missile defenses. Their pilots are from Marine Helicopter Squadron One, and they are known as the Nighthawks.
The Perfect Movie
For some reason, fliers of AFO are big fans of the movie Fargo. Most particularly, during Clinton's 96' bid for his second term, everyone on board was watching the Coen Brother's film. It won the title of "the record-holder of Longest Playing Film Abroad Air Force One" by the popular journalist Helen Thomas.
Clinton shared that it played at least 25 times (wow!), and his staff members used to repeat lines from the dark comedy. So, there are some things that the Marines adore, some things that pilots find the best ever made, and some movies presidents can't live without.
Waiting for a Haircut
In 1993, air traffic controllers, passengers, and LAX airport shared one thing in common: their annoyance towards President Clinton for delaying many flights. The President sat on the runway, getting his hair cut and forcing controllers to decide what they would do on a whim.
Air Traffic controllers scrambled to try and make sure that no other planes were coming and going during his haircut, creating a huge mess. But, as the President of the United States, it's important to look good and arrive in style. We just think he could have waited until the plane was safely up in the air for that.
Twins
There is not one plane that can define "Air Force One." That being said, there is still one plane that is almost identical to the Boeing plane that carries the President around the world. There are only minor differences between the two planes (if you don't know much about planes they will seem the same to you), but they are both extremely large aircraft.
How big? They both stand over six stories tall, which is a whole lot taller than many other planes we know. The Air Force One has got to be the greatest of all. Air Force One. The best (number one) a man can get.
Seal of Approval
Air Force One would take the honors if the Presidency had a logo. It was constructed and designed to be an intimate and noticeable presence wherever it flies or sits. It's difficult to get the plane confused with another, as it's clearly labeled with the words "United States of America," with a picture of the American flag and the Seal of the President of the United States. Its blue color is certainly eye-catching and was chosen thanks to President JFK’s love of the color blue.
The airplane must always keep up its appearance because it is a symbol of America and the president who is riding in it. The status of the plane is also a symbol of the United State’s military and economic power and strength and is unrivaled for the most part.