Museum Audio Tour 64: Presidential Gallery

DAYTON, OH, UNITED STATES

12.31.1969

Audio by NMUSAF PA 

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Probably no other gallery holds more history than the museum’s Presidential Gallery. Nine aircraft that supported presidents, diplomats, visiting heads of state and other dignitaries are spread throughout this exhibit area. The crown jewel of the gallery is a Boeing VC-137C commonly referred to as SAM 26000 [pronounced Sam two-six-thousand]. This was the first jet made specifically for use by a President of the United States. During the 1950s, the call sign of the presidential aircraft was the prefix SAM [pronounced Sam] – for special air mission -- followed by the aircraft's tail number. The name "Air Force One" was later chosen to ensure there was no question to where the president was and which aircraft he was aboard. Any Air Force aircraft carrying the president is designated Air Force One. Because President Kennedy did not name his aircraft as had former presidents, the news media popularized the call sign "Air Force One" and the designation is still used today. President Kennedy flew aboard SAM 26000 to Dallas, Texas, where he was assassinated on November 22, 1963 -- and it was on this plane that Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the new president. SAM 26000 then carried John F. Kennedy's body and President Johnson back to Washington, D.C. Visitors can still see the cut marks near the rear of the aircraft where Kennedy’s casket was placed, rather than carrying his body in the cargo hold. SAM 26000 served President Kennedy through President Clinton, as well as carried many other notable people over its 36 year career. There’s also the Douglas VC-54C Sacred Cow. When President Franklin D. Roosevelt flew on this plane, it became the first military aircraft to transport a U.S. President. The U.S. Air Force also traces an important moment in its history to the Sacred Cow. It was on this aircraft that President Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947, establishing the Air Force as a separate service from the Army. Be sure to walk through not only SAM 26000 and Sacred Cow, but also the Douglas VC-118 Independence and Lockheed VC-121E Columbine III. And notice the five other presidential transport planes. You’ll learn more about the U.S. Air Force mission of airlift, logistics, aerial port service and communications, all supporting the president, vice president, cabinet members, combatant commanders and other senior military and elected leaders that continues today. Or you may click on the Resources portion of this podcast for a direct link to learn more.

• Date Taken: 12.31.1969
• Date Posted: 09.02.2015 13:49
• Category: Newscasts
• Audio ID: 41996
• Filename: 1509/DOD_102704429.mp3
• Length: 00:03:01
• Album: Museum Audio Tour
• Track #: 64
• Location: DAYTON, OH, US