"White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision to return was made after takeoff when the crew aboard Air Force One identified "a minor electrical issue" and, out of an abundance of caution, decided to turn around. A reporter on board said the lights in the press cabin of the aircraft went out briefly after takeoff, but no explanation was immediately offered. About half an hour into the flight reporters were told the plane would be turning around."
"The two planes currently used as Air Force One have been flying for nearly four decades. Boeing has been working on replacements, but the program has faced a series of delays. The planes are heavily modified with survivability capabilities for the president for a range of contingencies, including radiation shielding and antimissile technology. They also include a variety of communications systems to allow the president to remain in contact with the military and issue orders from anywhere in the world."
Air Force One returned to Joint Base Andrews about an hour after departing for Switzerland because crew identified "a minor electrical issue" and elected to turn around out of caution. A reporter said lights in the press cabin went out briefly after takeoff and reporters were told about half an hour into the flight that the plane would be turning around. President Trump boarded another aircraft to continue to the World Economic Forum in Davos. The two current Air Force One planes have flown nearly four decades while Boeing replacement efforts face delays. The aircraft are heavily modified with survivability features, communications systems, and a retrofitted Qatari 747-8 is being prepared to meet security requirements.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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