Air Force One
(Kenneth T. Walsh)
One of the first things that people in a foreign country notice when
the president of the United States comes to visit is the jumbo jet he
arrives in. Known more familiarly as Air Force One, it ranks as one of
the most powerful symbols of the U.S. presidency, as well as one of the
major perks a president enjoys during his term of office. Modern
presidents such as Ronald Reagan and George Bush have been particularly
skillful in having it photographed to great advantage when they land in
foreign countries.In his book Air Force One, Kenneth T. Walsh
provides a history of the aircraft known as Air Force One. Not
surprisingly, one of the first things that readers learn is that there
have been a series of different aircraft serving as Air Force One over
the years. Technically speaking, any jet aircraft the president travels
on becomes identified as Air Force One as long as he is aboard. Currently,
George W. Bush has available to him two Boeing jumbo jets. They
alternate in service, transporting him around the globe for meetings
with other governmental leaders and to his ranch in Texas. While one
plane is in use, the other can be serviced and ready to go on the next
trip.Besides talking about how the use of aircraft especially
designated for the exclusive use of the president came into existence,
Walsh gives readers behind the scenes views of post-WWII presidents on
the plane, alone and in the company of their spouses and/or children.
Readers learn how such things as even the menus for meals on the plane
changed according to who was traveling on the plane on a particular
trip.Of course, Walsh describes as well how Air Force One was
used to transport an assassinated President Kennedy?s body back to
Washington, D.C. following the tragic events in Dallas in November
1963. Consequently, Walsh?s book is informative reading for the general
public and historians alike.
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