By: Annie Andersen
MONTEREY, Calif- Central Coast residents saw a plane in the sky that hasn't been here for over a decade. But was it Air Force One or Air Force Two? You'd be surprised to learn that the difference between Air Force One and Two, is all in a name.
Vice President Biden usually travels in a Boeing C-32 plane designated for Vice Presidents. But for longer trips, he can use either of President Obama's VC-25A Boeing jets. The only reason that it's called Air Force Two is because the President's not in it.
According to the White House, Air Force One is 4,000 square feet, covering 3 different levels with a staff of 26 and room for 70 passengers. There is a large office, 7 bathrooms, a conference room, 2 kitchens that can serve 100 people at one time and even a medical suite that can function as on operating room. The plane is even equipped with 87 phone lines. Talk about a moving office.
Reuters' reported the President travels with over 650 people in his entourage. There are 50 political aides, 150 National Security Advisors, 200 other government specialists, 250 Secret Service people, 15 sniffer dogs teams, a personal chef and his four cooks. It takes at least 20 armored cars, several other planes, both cargo and passenger, to fly with Air Force One… making it quite a sight to see.
If you ever get to fly on Air Force One, make sure to get a box of the exclusive, limited edition Presidential M&M's. The box has the Presidential Seal and the current President's autograph on the front of the box. Don't let those M&M's melt in your mouth or your hand, keep them as a collector's item instead.
The White House actually posts where Air Force One will be next. You can subscribe to the feed of events by clicking here.
