by Sherrill Fulghum

Created on: May 11, 2008   Last Updated: September 09, 2008

In 1944 the then President Franklin Delano Roosevelt created an office to oversee air travel for the President of the United States. Since that time an airplane has been provided for the United States President, the secret service, and his staff. The term "Air Force One" in relation to the plane carrying the President was not used until the nineteen fifties. But it wasn't until President Kennedy's term that the plane itself became widely known as "Air Force One" which is still in use today.

When the phrase "Air Force One" is mentioned many people think of the current 747 used by the President of the United States for air travel. While this is true, the term "Air Force One" signifies more than just an airplane. "Air Force One" is the call sign used for ANY aircraft on which the current President of the United States happens to be using and occupying at the time the call sign is being used.

Currently the United States has two planes that can be designated as "Air Force One". These specially created 747 aircraft include state of the art electronic equipment for use in navigation and communications. The President has his own stateroom complete with dressing room and shower. He has an on board office and a conference room that can also be used as a dining room.

Besides the President of the United States, whenever "Air Force One" is in operation there are a number of other people on board the plane including secret service personnel, White House and presidential staff, and a press pool. There are separate facilities for these other passengers including an accessible restroom. There is medical equipment and supplies are on board the plane in case of any minor medical emergency and the two galleys can provide up to 100 meals at a time. Unlike typical passenger aircraft the 747 known as "Air Force One" has the capability of in flight refueling if the need should occur. Instead of one set of doors and stairs, the 747 that carries the President of the United States has two sets of doors and stairs; one in front and one at the rear of the plane.

"Air Force One" is manned by Air Force personnel. All flight crew, navigators, engineers, and pilots are active members of the United States Air Force.

In 1997 Harrison Ford starred as the President of the United States in a movie titled "Air Force One". The interior shots of the plane in respect to the office and conference rooms are somewhat similar to the real thing.

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