Trump Flies Aboard The New Air Force One For The First Time
On its maiden flight as Air Force One, the new VC-25B “Bridge” aircraft brought President Donald Trump to North Dakota.
On Jul. 1, the U.S. Air Force’s VC-25B Bridge aircraft, a rapidly converted 747-8 gifted by Qatar, made its first flight as “Air Force One,” to take Trump and his staff to Bismarck Municipal airport in North Dakota, for the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and other 250th anniversary of the United States celebrations.
Images of the inaugural flight were shared online by members of the Presidential staff who had the chance to board the VC-25B for the flight from Joint Base Andrews.
MAIDEN VOYAGE https://t.co/b1RBlnbrFt pic.twitter.com/Xbqm2NHXwV
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 1, 2026
Honored to be on the inaugural flight of the new Air Force One. pic.twitter.com/mjvn6BgKhr
— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) July 1, 2026
Quite a photo here: https://t.co/OHUdGlaxsN pic.twitter.com/MF3nOMNUDo
— Brian Everstine (@beverstine) July 1, 2026
For the first time, the VC-25B bridge aircraft has flown over the Washington, D.C. area with the callsign “AIR FORCE ONE.” @POTUS is on his way to North Dakota today. pic.twitter.com/VVwTbsyAKi
— Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) July 1, 2026
Interestingly, one of the U.S. Air Force’s two VC-25As, 92-9000, served as backup aircraft for the trip.
VC-25B-Bridge Makes Maiden Flight as AIR FORCE 1
US Air Force VC-25B-Bridge #AF83F3 is in the air from JB Andrews as AIR FORCE 1 for the first time.
USAF VC-25A #ADFDF9 is serving as SAM47 for this trip, a role that this aircraft hasn’t been in for years. pic.twitter.com/8fblf7iA6h
— TheIntelFrog (@TheIntelFrog) July 1, 2026
Honored to be on the inaugural flight of the new Air Force One pic.twitter.com/Y8H2vPzF8q
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) July 1, 2026
Maiden voyage on the new Air Force One! pic.twitter.com/svD3StjUkk
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) July 1, 2026
AF1 flying into Bismarck this morning pic.twitter.com/pov0GlTdjg
— Yankees Girl 1776 (@LizLemon5759) July 1, 2026
Speaking at the aircraft’s unveiling, President Trump confirmed plans to include the jet in the 4th July flyover of Washington D.C., alongside F-22 Raptors, F-35 Lightning IIs, and other military aircraft.