Air Force Two

"Air Force Two" is the air traffic control call sign used by any United States Air Force aircraft carrying the Vice President, but not the President. [ [http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=90 Factsheets : C-32 : C-32 ] ] The term is often associated with a Boeing C-32, a modified 757 which is most commonly used as the Vice President's transport. The C-40 Clipper, a version of the Boeing 737, also serves in this role. Although the U.S. Marine Corps carry the primary mission for helicopter support of both the President, Marine One, and Vice President, Marine Two, UH-1N Twin Huey helicopters from the Air Force's 1st Helicopter Squadron are also used to support the Vice President in the Washington, D.C. area under the callsign "Air Force Two".

During the buildup to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Vice President Dick Cheney made his first overseas trip in office. For the March 2002, 10-day, 12-country whirlwind trip throughout the Middle East, Cheney used the VC-25A, a Boeing 747, that is typically reserved for the President. The aircraft used the call sign "Air Force Two". Cheney's last time on the aircraft was over a decade before when he served as George H. W. Bush's Defense Secretary. [ [http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2002/03/10/cheney.htm USATODAY.com - Cheney heads overseas to talk terrorism ] ] [ [http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/cheneytrip/notebook_311.htm usnews.com: Reporter's Notebook on Cheney's Mideast trip: Day 1: London (3/11/02) ] ]

References

ee also

*Air Force One
*Marine One