Creedmoor, NC July 17, 2019 – There can be only one Air Force One at a time but many aircraft's over the years have served the role of carrying the President of the United States. Unique among them is Ike’s Bird, a 1955 Aero Commander 560A. President Dwight Eisenhower needed a small, reliable, fast aircraft to shuttle him from Washington, D.C. to a grass strip on his farm near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Aero Commander fit the role perfectly, and Eisenhower often flew on what is sometimes called The Smallest Air Force One.
This year at EAA Airventure Oshkosh, Aero Commander LB-26 55-4638, one of six Commanders used as Air Force One, in which Eisenhower flew and occasionally piloted, will be on display with the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) in the Vintage Area.
The CAF recently purchased the aircraft, and will use it to fly veterans who may have trouble boarding larger historic bombers and fighters. Miracle on the Hudson First Officer Jeff Skiles is volunteering as part of the project, and he will be at the display showing off the historic aircraft.
