Trump Confirms He Left Türkiye on Military Aircraft Over Security Threat

World 10:22 AM - 2026-08-12

US President Donald Trump.

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he secretly departed Türkiye last month aboard a military aircraft other than Air Force One, following instructions from the US Secret Service and the military over what officials described as a credible security threat linked to Iran.

"I followed the instructions of the Secret Service and the military. They wanted me to travel on a different flight, on a different plane," Trump said. "I couldn't do anything but what they said."

His remarks publicly confirmed details of an extraordinary security operation first reported by The Washington Post, which revealed that US authorities orchestrated an elaborate deception to conceal the president's whereabouts during his departure from Türkiye on 8 June.

According to the newspaper, the operation was launched after US intelligence identified what officials described as a credible Iranian threat targeting Trump. The president had been in Ankara for a NATO summit, and his departure came a day after he ordered renewed US strikes on Iran following the collapse of negotiations between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending months of conflict.

Elaborate Decoy Operation

The operation reportedly began in full public view at Ankara Airport, where Trump was seen boarding Air Force One, the presidential Boeing 747, before television cameras.

However, minutes later and away from the media's view, Trump and several of his senior aides were secretly transferred from Air Force One using an airport catering truck, typically employed to deliver food and supplies to aircraft.

According to The Washington Post, the truck was positioned on the side of the aircraft hidden from public view, allowing Trump to board a smaller C-32A military aircraft — a modified Boeing 757 commonly used to transport senior US government officials.

Meanwhile, Air Force One departed as scheduled carrying White House staff, security personnel and members of the press, effectively serving as a decoy to disguise the president's true location.

Secret Flight to Britain

The aircraft carrying Trump reportedly flew to Britain using the military call sign "Reach 18" (RCH18), rather than the "Air Force One" designation normally used whenever the US president is aboard a military aircraft.

No public flight-tracking data was available for the aircraft, further concealing the president's movements.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also travelled aboard the same aircraft, reportedly boarding separately to help make the flight appear routine.

Reappearing Before the Media

After both aircraft landed at RAF Mildenhall in eastern England, Trump reappeared before cameras as he disembarked from Air Force One, despite reportedly having arrived in Britain aboard the military aircraft.

The newspaper said it remains unclear how Trump returned to Air Force One before making his public appearance.

During his return flight to Washington, Trump acknowledged facing serious security threats but did not reveal details of the covert operation.

When asked why journalists had been instructed to close the aircraft's window shades while in Türkiye, Trump referred to ongoing threats against him, saying he remains "number one" on Iran's target list.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said there are "many enemies of America" targeting the president and stressed that US authorities are employing every available measure to protect him.


PUKMEDIA