A carefully staged aircraft switch kept even some reporters unaware, while a familiar presidential plane continued the journey with a crucial passenger missing.

Donald Trump was secretly flown out of Turkey after the NATO summit on July 8. The U.S. president was transferred from Air Force One to a smaller military aircraft using a catering truck to reduce the risk of a possible Iranian attack.

Trump initially boarded the old presidential aircraft in public. However, the maneuver was part of a previously planned operation. A few minutes later, journalists on board were ordered to lower the window shades.

Trump and several of his aides were then driven out through the opposite side of the aircraft in a food transport van. They were subsequently transferred to a C-32A military aircraft, which left Turkey unnoticed.

How the U.S. president’s route was concealed

The smaller aircraft operated under the call sign Reach 18, and its tracking systems were switched off. Meanwhile, the old Air Force One continued flying without the president.

While airborne, the presidential aircraft was assigned the call sign AF1. This was intended to create the impression that Trump was on board. Some journalists and White House staff members were unaware that the aircraft had been switched.

When the president arrived in the United Kingdom, he appeared before the cameras again from the old Air Force One. This could make it seem as though Trump had remained on the same aircraft throughout the entire journey.

Reason for the secret operation

The decision to conceal the president’s whereabouts was made after the United States resumed strikes against Iran. There were concerns that Tehran might try to attack Trump or the aircraft he was traveling on.

It had also previously been reported that the new Boeing 747-8, donated by Qatar, has fewer defensive capabilities than the older presidential aircraft. This may have been an additional reason to use a proven aircraft and a more complex travel plan.

Trump said that Iran considered him its “number one target.” On July 11, he said that he had left instructions in case he was killed in a possible assassination attempt and also threatened Iran with “strikes of unprecedented force.”