8/25/2011 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. –
A VC-9C jet that transported presidents, vice presidents and first ladies for 30 years made its last flight Aug. 18 to the Air Mobility Command Museum.
The aircraft, designated Douglas VC-9C Nightingale, was assigned to the 89th Airlift Wing to transport senior leaders and dignitaries. The jet features twin-engines that fly at 565 miles per hour at 35,000 feet. The interior is configured with seating for support staff and a conference area for in-flight meetings as well as an extensive communications suite.
"The AMC Museum has unique aircraft; the first, last or only of an aircraft type. This Air Force Two C-9 fits into that theme," said Mike Leister, director of the Air Mobility Command Museum.
Among the dignitaries transported were former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, making it Air Force One when transporting the president. Mostly, the aircraft was used by former Vice Presidents George H. W. Bush, Dan Quayle, and Walter Mondale as Air Force Two. In 2005, it was transferred to the USAF reserve when the Boeing 757 took its place in the Presidential Fleet.
After the museum cleans the plane and makes it safe for viewing it will be opened for public tours the third Saturday of each month, said Leister.