The President of the United States travels with extreme security measures in place, including an armored motorcade and aircraft. The Presidential car, nicknamed "The Beast," is 8-10 tons and armored to withstand bomb blasts. Air Force One, the Presidential plane, is a Boeing 747 with aluminum skin fortified to protect against a nuclear blast and is equipped as a mobile command center. Marine One, the Presidential helicopter, is part of a fleet of helicopters with a Marine Corps squadron, and its pilots undergo rigorous training. The President's transportation is always a "no-fail mission," with multiple security measures in place, including code names, snipers, and metal barriers. When traveling, the President is accompanied by a massive entourage, including Secret Service agents, military personnel, and local law enforcement.
1. The President of the United States has a motorcade when traveling.
2. The President's car is nicknamed "The Beast" due to its size and weight of 8 to 10 tons.
3. The Beast is armored to withstand bomb blasts.
4. Air Force One has aluminum skin fortified to protect against a nuclear blast.
5. Air Force One can act as a mobile command center in case of an attack on the United States.
6. Marine One is the name of any Marine Corps aircraft transporting the President.
7. There are dozens of helicopters in the Marine Corps Presidential Fleet.
8. Marine One helicopters are easily identified by their white tops and army green bodies.
9. Marine One is piloted by Marine Corps officers who apply for the job in Quantico, Virginia.
10. The President does not fly in MV-22 Osprey aircraft.
11. MV-22 Osprey aircraft transport White House support staff, Secret Service, and media.
12. The MV-22 Osprey's large rotors and strong down blast would seriously damage the White House's South lawn.
13. The MV-22 Osprey's rotors are too small for effective auto rotation in case of engine failure.
14. In 2005, a director of the Pentagon's testing office stated that emergency landings in an MV-22 Osprey are not likely to be survivable in a loss of power while hovering.
15. Marine One flies in a group of up to five identical helicopters that serve as decoys.
16. The Marine One Fleet is housed at Quantico in Virginia or the Naval Support Facility Anacostia in DC.
17. Hundreds of Marines are responsible for repairing, refueling, and maintaining the aircraft.
18. Air Force One is only referred to as such when the President is on board.
19. A special designation for Air Force One was established in 1953 to avoid confusion with other aircraft in the sky.
20. There are two Boeing 747 aircraft in the Air Force One fleet.
21. The Boeing 707 was the first jet aircraft built specifically for use by the President.
22. The Boeing 707 is on display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
23. President Kennedy flew in the Boeing 707 to West Berlin, Germany in 1963.
24. President Nixon flew in the Boeing 707 to China in 1972.
25. President Nixon signed nuclear arms control agreements in the Soviet Union in 1972.
26. The presidential motorcade is normally dozens of vehicles strong.
27. Armored Suburbans flank the Beast, the President's heavily modified limousine.
28. Secret Service agents use code names for the President to relay information to each other.
29. Snipers are commonly positioned on nearby buildings to provide an extra layer of protection.
30. On inauguration day, the President walks down Pennsylvania Avenue from the U.S. Capitol to the White House.
31. More than 5,000 military members provide ceremonial support for the President.
32. Inside the Beast, the President and his Secret Service are protected from incidents such as a flat tire to the force of a bomb blast.