Up until 1990 the name Air Force One was identified, via radio, as any type of American Air Force aircraft used by the President of the United States for his various trips. As of 1990 Air Force One is used to solely identify the American President's personal fleet. This is made up of two Boeing 747-200, designated VC-25A, whereby various modifications were carried out in order to make them easier to handle and able to accommodate the President's office in case of emergency situations. Unlike any other aircraft, these two can be refuelled whilst still in flight.
Able to accommodate at least 70 passengers, Air Force One is structured in such a way that a spacious hold inside the aircraft contains all the normal luggage of each person and huge quantities of food making it seem more like a flying house. There is an area inside only for reporters, there are rooms, divided into different categories, for overnight stays. Therefore there are rooms for guests, the secret service and for the staff. Furthermore there are also different offices. The one that obviously stands out is the American President’s office, located inside a suite! Inside this Presidential Boeing there is also a perfectly functional operating room able to support and carry out any type of surgery, if need be.
Air Force One became such with John F. Kennedy in 1962. JFK chose to use a Boeing 707, with, apart from a design commissioned by him that will later become the presidential logo, the writing “United States of America”, made up of the same colors still used today. This writing together with the White House is probably the most accredited symbol of power in the world and as such it is looked at with utmost respect. It has been cited many times in songs and movies, but no one knows or has seen the original plan which is covered, in every aspect and type, by state secret. The aircraft's various models, based on American law, may be changed only if they have reached two decades of service.
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