Some Insight Into the Current Air Force 1 Mess

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One of the two Wichita-built 747's serving as Air Force One

Yesterday, there were national news programs and news stories that pertained to Boeing's construction of two new 747-400's that will become Air Force 1 when the President is on board. I have some history and insight that might be helpful. 


When the 747's now used as Air Force One (AF1) were delivered during the Bush Administration, they were regular 747-400's that came off the Seattle assembly line and were then flown to Wichita for their conversion and customization. Wichita was the home of Boeing Military Airplane Company. In addition, parts of all Boeing jetliners were built in Wichita, including most of the 737 and (in the future at that time) the forward section of the 787 Dreamliner. 

 

Doing the conversion of the two planes that make up the current AF1 took four years of work in Wichita based on Wikipedia and my recollection. 



Unfortunately, Boeing later made the disastrous decision to spin off their entire Wichita operation which became Spirit Aerosystems. The military work was transferred to Oklahoma City and San Antonio and staff scattered. I was told by an official (which may or may not have been accurate) that many fewer people transferred from Wichita than anticipated by Boeing. Soon after that completion of the sale to Spirit, "Black Friday" occurred where many of the experienced hands were laid off leaving a young, inexperienced workforce. 



We all know what -- inevitably and tragically -- occurred, especially in the 737 product line. 



Boeing is in the process of reacquiring the Wichita operation with the transition expected to be completed over the summer. 



Had the "Spirit Aerosystems" fiasco never occurred, the current generation of 747's to become AF1 would be underway in Wichita and, while some of the inevitable issues would occur, it likely wouldn't be the 15-year (!) ordeal it has become.

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 13, 2025 at 4:50 AM

    Current aircraft are 747-200 model, not 747-400.

    ReplyDelete

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