Executive One
Executive One is the call sign designated[1] for any United States civilian aircraft when the President of the United States is on board. Typically, the President flies in military aircraft that are under the command of the Presidential Airlift Group, part of Air Mobility Command's 89th Airlift Wing, based at Andrews Air Force Base in Suitland, Maryland. In 1973, to "set an example for the rest of the nation during the current energy crisis" and to "demonstrate his confidence in the airlines", then-President Richard Nixon became the only sitting president to travel on a regularly scheduled commercial airline flight when he flew on a United Airlines DC-10 from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport.[2] That flight did use the Executive One callsign. Additionally, Air Force One flew behind the flight in case of an emergency.
If the president's family members are aboard, but not the president himself, the flight can optionally use the callsign Executive One Foxtrot. Similarly, Executive Two Foxtrot can be used for flights carrying family members of the Vice President.[1]
Any civilian aircraft carrying the Vice President would be designated Executive Two.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "Order 7110.65R (Air Traffic Control) §2-4-20 ¶7". Federal Aviation Administration. 2007-03-14. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
- ^ "The President Takes to the Friendly Skies". The Washington Post, Times Herald. 1973-12-30. p. C6.
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