Last week, two Ohio legislators took action to prevent an historical aircraft from being moved out of the state. That request was granted and so the plane that once served as Air Force One will stay in Dayton, Ohio.
The Boeing aircraft, known as SAM 26000, operated as Air Force One for Presidents Kennedy through Clinton. Since its retirement in 1998, it has found a home at the National Museum of United States Air Force in Dayton.
Last week, the LBJ Library in Austin, Texas requested the plane be moved there because of the role it played during President Johnson’s administration; most notably serving as the backdrop for Johnson’s swearing in ceremony following Kennedy’s assassination.
Congressman Mike Turner and US Senator, Rob Portman immediately penned a letter to the Secretary of the US Air Force asking her to keep the aircraft in Ohio. The request was granted Wednesday, and both lawmakers issued a statement praising the decision.
The timing of the announcement bodes well for the Air Force museum, which announced earlier this week that it will move ahead with construction on a new hanger which will house the Presidential Aircraft Gallery that includes Air Force One.
