In-town pool report #11 — inside the new AF1

Some color from your pooler’s mind’s eye — electronics were not allowed — from inside the “Bridge” Air Force One:

The aircraft had a bit of a new/refurbished plane smell. It features many leather seats and round and square tables in light tan. The walls have lots of tans, light browns, shades of gold — and mixes of all those colors, with affixed light fixtures in yellow-gold. Plenty of brown wooden paneling and cabinets and credenzas. We were not allowed into the front of the aircraft, but the first room appeared to be an executive suite. We passed a couple stair cases, but were not allowed upstairs.

We moved past a sizable conference room with at least four light tan leather captains chairs around a square desk, a large TV on one wall. Your pooler spotted a framed print of a duck swimming in the Reflecting Pool with the evening sun dipping behind it. It was among several patriotic-themed prints. Carpets are plush and light tans with designs in shades of brown. A fellow pooler spotted president seals on the seat belts.

There was one large brown cabinet on the right wall of the main cabin that appeared to be locked. It jutted out from the wall in a slightly round shape. In the opposite wall was an even larger TV.

The press cabin is quite large. Fellow poolers who are AF1 veterans called it significantly larger than the existing large plane. Several AF1 program officials on our way out said it features lay-down seats. No one tested them out while onboard. The seats in the press cabin are a medium-brown color and rather boxy. Your pooler can confirm the leather seats are quite roomy and comfortable.

A Marine two-star general told your pooler the U.S. government began work on the former Qatari aircraft last August, and he has never worked on a turn-around that went so swiftly. A pilot smiled wide when asked how it flies. We were onboard for about 10 minutes.

We are awaiting word that POTUS landed at Camp David. Pool is rolling back to the White House. More TK.

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John T. Bennett

White House Correspondent & Editor-at-Large

Roll Call & CQ

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