Air Force One

Air Force One traces the history of U.S. presidential aircraft from Franklin D. Roosevelt's use of military transport planes through the modern VC-25A jets that serve the White House today. The book documents the technical specifications, security measures, and operational protocols that have evolved over decades of presidential air travel. Dorr presents accounts from Air Force personnel, White House staff, and others who have flown aboard these aircraft during key moments in American history. The narrative includes both routine flights and crisis situations that tested the capabilities of the presidential fleet and its crews. The focus extends beyond the planes themselves to examine the complex support system that keeps Air Force One mission-ready at all times. This includes details about the specialized maintenance teams, communication systems, and security units that work together to support presidential air travel. The book offers insights into how Air Force One represents both the practical needs of presidential transport and the symbolic power of the American presidency. Through its examination of this unique aircraft, the work reveals larger patterns about the intersection of political leadership, military capability, and technological advancement.

Readers praise the detailed technical and historical information about the Air Force One fleet, including maintenance procedures, security protocols, and aircraft specifications. Multiple reviews highlight Dorr's research into presidential flight operations and behind-the-scenes staffing details. Readers appreciate the inclusion of first-hand accounts from crew members and pilots who served on Air Force One missions. Several note the comprehensive coverage of significant historical moments aboard the aircraft. Common criticisms focus on the dry writing style and overemphasis on technical details at the expense of human interest stories. Some readers found the chronological structure confusing, with timeline jumps between chapters. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) "Too much focus on specifications and not enough compelling stories," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review states: "Excellent resource for aircraft enthusiasts but may be too technical for casual readers interested in presidential history."

Inside Air Force Two by Nicholas A. Veronico Details the history, operations, and missions of the Vice President's aircraft through technical specifications and mission accounts.

The President's Plane Is Missing by Robert J. Serling Chronicles actual incidents and near-disasters involving presidential aircraft through interviews with crew members and declassified documents.

Flying White House by Kenneth W. Walsh Documents the evolution of presidential air travel from Roosevelt to modern times through first-hand accounts of pilots, staff, and journalists.

The Pentagon by Steve Vogel Explores the command center's role in presidential transport and national security through historical records and insider perspectives.

Andrews Air Force Base by Robert P. Smith Examines the operations and history of the military facility that serves as the home base for Air Force One through military archives and personnel accounts.

🛩️ Prior to 1962, the Air Force didn't use the "Air Force One" call sign consistently - it was created after a potentially dangerous incident where a commercial flight and the President's aircraft had similar call signs. ✈️ The book reveals that President Kennedy had Air Force One repainted in its now-iconic blue and white color scheme, designed by industrial designer Raymond Loewy, replacing the previous orange and gold design. 👨‍✈️ Author Robert F. Dorr flew combat missions in Southeast Asia and served in the Air Force before becoming one of America's most respected military aviation writers, authoring over 70 books. 🏛️ The first presidential flight took place in 1910 when Theodore Roosevelt flew in a Wright Type B aircraft, though it was after he left office - William Taft was the first sitting president to fly. 🛫 The current Air Force One aircraft (as of the book's publication) are actually two highly customized Boeing 747-200B jets, designated VC-25A, capable of refueling mid-air and equipped with advanced secure communications systems.