Trump secretly flown out of Turkey on military jet amid fears of Iranian attack 

ANKARA/LONDON – US President Donald Trump was secretly flown out of Turkey aboard a military aircraft last month in an elaborate security operation designed to conceal his whereabouts amid fears of threats linked to the conflict with Iran, a US official familiar with the plan said.

The Washington Post first reported details of the covert operation, which involved using a catering truck to secretly move Trump onto a C-32 military aircraft that flew from Ankara to RAF Mildenhall in Britain.

Trump was then secretly transferred from the C-32 and placed aboard an older Air Force One aircraft, allowing him to later emerge publicly in front of cameras before boarding a newer Boeing 747 donated by Qatar.

The White House did not dispute the report. Communications Director Steven Cheung said the new aircraft was equipped with high-level security protocols designed to protect the president and his staff.

Cheung had previously said that “distraction and misdirection” were among the tools available to the government to protect Trump.

Trump had announced on July 8 that he would fly from Turkey to Britain aboard the “former Air Force One,” saying he wanted to do so “for old time’s sake.” He said the newer Qatari-donated aircraft would travel separately to Mildenhall so troops could see the plane.

But according to the newly reported details, Trump secretly left the older aircraft in Ankara and boarded the C-32, while journalists travelling with him remained unaware of his location.

Reporters aboard the older Air Force One were instructed to lower the aircraft's window shades, according to a press pool report from the day.

Trump later told reporters that they may have been on a “dangerous flight” because of security threats. Asked whether he was aware of a credible threat from Iran, Trump said he faced threats “all the time” and described himself as “No. 1 on their list.”

Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, called the undisclosed travel “downright scary” and said Congress should be briefed on the security measures taken during the operation.

Earlier reports by NBC News said the Secret Service had recommended that Trump use the older Air Force One because the newer Qatari aircraft did not yet have all the security features of the presidential plane.

The Qatar-donated Boeing 747, valued at about $400 million, has sparked controversy since it was given to Trump by the Qatari government. Trump has said the aircraft would undergo extensive upgrades to enhance its security systems.

The future of the plane has remained uncertain, however, after Trump's son Eric said last week that a different Air Force One would be displayed at the president's planned library and museum in Miami.

GAROWE ONLINE