LBJ’s Takes Charge Onboard
In the wake of JFK’s tragic assassination, there was no time to spare, and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson swiftly assumed the presidency. While accompanying President Kennedy’s fateful trip to Dallas, Johnson had been riding in the car just behind when, at 12:30, gunshots rang out, leading to the assassination of the 35th president. As the devastating news became official, the Secret Service grew concerned for Johnson’s safety and arranged his return to Washington and his family to ensure their protection. LBJ and his family were securely aboard Air Force One an hour after the hospital visit. During this return journey on November 22, 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson took the oath of office as the 36th president of the United States. The event was notably crowded, with 72 individuals squeezed aboard the aircraft.
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The Original Trendsetter
Teddy Roosevelt left an indelible mark on history with his 17-day voyage to the Panama Canal in 1906, marking the first-ever overseas trip by a U.S. president via an airplane. However, his namesake and predecessor, F.D. Roosevelt, set a significant precedent by being assigned his dedicated presidential aircraft. During World War II, concerns arose about the safety of a president traveling on commercial flights. It led to the introduction of the “Sacred Crow,” a plane exclusively designated for the president’s use. Given F.D. Roosevelt’s confinement to a wheelchair due to polio-induced leg paralysis, the “Sacred Crow” was customized with a low door and a tailor-made ramp, facilitating easy access for the president. Thus, the second Roosevelt became the pioneering figure in the legacy of Air Force One.
inquiriesjournal.com
FDR Established the Presidential Pilot Bureau
The primary mission of the Presidential Pilot Office revolves around the transportation of the U.S. President. This institution boasts a rich history dating back several decades, initially established by Franklin D. Roosevelt during his presidency. In 1941, President Roosevelt designated a plot of land in Maryland to construct an airfield. Construction efforts commenced a year later, and the airbase became fully operational the following year. The Presidential Pilot Office remains at this historic airbase, Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Notably, the base’s nomenclature, “Andrews AFB,” pays tribute to Lieutenant General Frank Maxwell Andrews, the distinguished U.S. Air Force General Headquarters commander during World War II.
smithsonianmag.com