U.S. security officials executed a covert operation to secretly transport President Donald Trump out of Turkey following a credible Iranian assassination threat during his departure from a NATO summit last month, according to newly published federal reports.
The extraordinary security operation took place on July 8 at Ankara Airport after American intelligence agencies detected a credible plot targeting the presidential flight. In response to the threat, federal security teams devised a multi-step ruse involving three government aircraft and an airport ground vehicle to conceal the president's location from potential tracking.
According to a report published by The Washington Post, Trump initially walked up the stairs and boarded the legacy blue-and-white Air Force One Boeing 747 in full view of news cameras. Minutes later, Trump secretly exited the aircraft into an airport catering truck, which shuttled him across the tarmac to an awaiting military C-32A transport plane.
The legacy Air Force One departed Ankara serving as a decoy while carrying White House staff and travelling journalists, who were instructed by crew members to keep their window shades closed. Meanwhile, Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth flew secretly across Europe to Royal Air Force Mildenhall in Britain aboard the C-32A under the military call sign "Reach 18."
After landing in England, Trump transferred back onto the decoy aircraft to emerge before waiting news cameras, before ultimately switching onto a second Boeing 747—a newly retrofitted aircraft gifted by Qatar—for the final leg of his journey back to Washington.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung defended the secrecy, noting foreign adversaries continue to target executive leadership. "As the President has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal to address those threats," Cheung said in an official statement.
The Secret Service and Department of Defense declined to comment on specific protective logistics. Authorities confirmed no injuries occurred during the transfer operation.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
