Support First Air Force One

As we prepare to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June, I am reminded of the words Dwight Eisenhower wrote to the Allied soldiers, sailors, and airmen in his D-Day address: “The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.” As Supreme Commander of Operation Overlord in Normandy, France, his decisive leadership in WWII propelled the U.S. to its place as a world leader.

Eisenhower won the 1952 and 1956 U.S. elections by a landslide. His presidential aircraft, Lockheed Constellation 8610, is now undergoing a full restoration on the campus of Dynamic Aviation, a leader in the aerospace industry and the lead restoration partner. This iconic aircraft carried Dwight Eisenhower during the early years of his presidency – it is the first presidential transport to go by the call sign Air Force One.

Our objective is to restore First Air Force One to its original grandeur and make it available to the American people. Visitors will be able to view the cockpit, walk into President Eisenhower’s office, and capture the feel of his impact on world history. When completed, First Air Force One will allow Americans – particularly youth and students – to connect with this dramatic symbol of our history and increase interest in the aviation industry, Presidential and aviation history, and STEM education.