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In a surprise swap, Trump flies back from Turkey in an old Air Force One, not the Qatari-gifted jet
By Michelle L. Price And Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News
· July 8, 2026
· 5 min read
President Donald Trump flew home from a NATO summit in Turkey on an old baby blue Air Force One plane instead of the new Qatari-gifted and retrofitted red, white and navy blue jet he arrived in, a surprise swap that came as the U.S. and Iran once again began trading strikes.Trump offered little c...
Key takeaway at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, a base used by U.
Why this matters in Alamo Heights News
For residents of Alamo Heights , the surprise swap of Air Force One planes may seem like a distant concern, but it has implications for the local military community. The mention of a stop at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, a base used by US troops, raises questions about the potential impact on San Antonio's own military bases, such as those in the surrounding areas. The fact that the new Qatari-gifted jet lacks certain missile detection and countermeasure systems also sparks concern about the safety and security protocols in place for military personnel and equipment passing through local bases. As a community with strong ties to the military, Alamo Heights residents may be watching this development closely, wondering how it might affect the security and operations of nearby bases and the personnel who serve there. The US Air Force's response to questions about the swap has only added to the uncertainty.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Alamo Heights News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? President Donald Trump flew home from a NATO summit in Turkey on an old baby blue Air Force One plane instead of the new Qatari-gifted and retrofitted red, white and navy blue jet he arrived in, a surprise swap that came as the U.S. and Iran once again began trading strikes.Trump offered little c...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News and curated for Alamo Heights News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Michelle L. Price And Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News. To learn more about how Alamo Heights News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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