National security was at an all-time high during the Cold War. Allen Dulles, the CIA director at the time, transformed AFO into a spy plane. Very powerful cameras were placed in the plane’s wheel wells to read license plates from 29,000 feet in the air. There is no indication that Eisenhower approved of this undertaking, and it is doubtful that he even knew about it.
When you think of it, it’s shocking how these things happen, and people authorize them to proceed without the number one man even being aware of it. I’m not sure this kind of thing could have happened these days.
85 Phones
On Air Force One, it's not necessary to turn your phone off during takeoff, like passengers are used to on commercial flights. The President can't step out of his role for 15 minutes during takeoff as well as during the whole flight. And if his phone stops working? Why can he use one of the other 84 phones on the plane? There are many phones distributed throughout the cabins to allow staff to keep working.
Besides telephones, there is also a collection of two-way radios, fax machines, 19 televisions, and different office equipment. The president and his staff are able to contact anybody in the world despite being tens of thousands of feet in the air.
Smugglers!
Only after around 1985 could you find Coors Beer widely distributed in the United States. Before this, it could only be found in some western states. So, when President Ford visited the states that sold the beer, he would smuggle them on board back to D.C. At one time, he apparently took out AFO solely to stock up on beer.
We promise that his trip included some work as well, but the beer pickup was the prime motive. You see, no matter what high position you hold, and even if you are the president of the U.S.A., when it comes to the things we love, all humans are the same.
Flying Command Center
The President takes to AFO when there is a terrorist attack like 9/11. During an incident such as this, AFO essentially transforms into the "flying White House." Thanks to its mobile command center, which is equipped with advanced secure communications equipment, plus an array of other top-notch gadgets, the President and his staff can lead the country when the safety of the White House is threatened.
So, in the event of an attack on the U.S., the president has everything he needs to respond. Until they receive the clear, AFO is the safest place for him to be.
Presidential Plane Takes Precedence
AFO becomes the top priority with air traffic controllers during a takeoff or landing. It's common practice for traffic control to stop all commercial traffic at public airports when the AFO leaves the ground or returns. The Presidential plane usually lands at military airports for obvious reasons, both for security measures and to avoid the ruckus caused at civilian airports.
When the plane does make a landing, the airport is made aware of its landing well beforehand, and the entire air space is cleared in order to guarantee a safe landing. During its landing, there is no help from outside services, as there is a special Air Force One team that takes care of all of the plane's activities. Of course, the plane has its own baggage loader, so it never has to use an airport’s baggage facilities, which could pose a security risk.