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. The term is often associated with the 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 call sign Air Force Two.

History

Dick Cheney

For the March 2002, 10-day, 12-country whirlwind trip throughout the Middle East, Vice President Dick Cheney used the VC-25A, a modified Boeing 747 that is typically reserved for the President. The aircraft used the call sign Air Force Two. During the buildup to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Cheney again used the VC-25A for an overseas trip. Cheney had traveled previously on the aircraft when accompanying George H. W. Bush as Secretary of Defense.