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In a surprise swap, Trump flies back from Turkey in an old Air Force One, not the Qatari-gifted jet
By Michelle L. Price And Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 8, 2026
· 5 min read
President Donald Trump flew home from a NATO summit in Turkey on an old baby blue Air Force One plane instead of the new Qatari-gifted and retrofitted red, white and navy blue jet he arrived in, a surprise swap that came as the U.S. and Iran once again began trading strikes.Trump offered little c...
Key takeaway at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, a base used by U.
Why this matters in The Pearland
For residents of Pearland , the surprise swap of Air Force One planes may seem like a distant concern, but it has implications for the local economy and defense industry. The fact that the new Qatari-gifted jet, which was retrofitted at a cost of $400 million, may not have the same level of security features as the older planes raises questions about the value of such investments. As a community within the Houston area, Pearland is home to a significant number of defense contractors and industries that rely on government spending. The decision to ground the new plane and opt for an older model may spark concerns about the effectiveness of such expenditures and the potential impact on local businesses that rely on defense contracts. Additionally, the stop at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, a base used by US troops, may also have implications for the local military personnel and their families who are stationed in the area.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? President Donald Trump flew home from a NATO summit in Turkey on an old baby blue Air Force One plane instead of the new Qatari-gifted and retrofitted red, white and navy blue jet he arrived in, a surprise swap that came as the U.S. and Iran once again began trading strikes.Trump offered little c...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Michelle L. Price And Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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