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US Secretary of Defense's plane makes emergency UK landing after windshield crack

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US Secretary of Defense's plane makes emergency UK landing after windshield crack
Policy
Webp petehegseth
Pete Hegset, Secretary of Defense | U.S. Embassy in Singapore

A United States Air Force Boeing C-32A carrying Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was forced to make an unscheduled landing in the United Kingdom due to a cracked windshield. The incident occurred as the aircraft was returning from a NATO Defense Minister meeting in Belgium.

The plane, a modified Boeing 757-200, departed Brussels Airport at 16:50 local time under the callsign RCH153. After flying westward over England and south of Ireland, the aircraft began descending and turned back just over an hour into its journey. The jet issued a 7700 squawk code, indicating an emergency, and descended to 10,000 feet before diverting to RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk. It landed safely at 19:08 local time after three hours and eighteen minutes in the air.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated: "Hegseth’s plane made an unscheduled landing in the United Kingdom due to a crack in the aircraft windshield. The plane landed based on standard procedures, and everyone onboard, including Secretary Hegseth, is safe."

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At the time of reporting, the aircraft remained grounded in Suffolk. It is unclear whether this delay is related to repairs for the windshield or crew duty hour limits.

According to The Independent, it is not typical for the Secretary of Defense to travel aboard a Boeing C-32A. This model is usually reserved for the Vice President and is commonly referred to as 'Air Force Two' during such missions. Secretaries of Defense have generally used the Boeing E-4B 'Nightwatch,' a modified Boeing 747-200B that serves as an Advanced Airborne Command Post. The E-4B, which first flew in 1973, is expected to be replaced in the future.

Fleet data indicates that the U.S. Air Force operates six C-32 aircraft, with four C-32A units designated for VIP transport and two C-32B units for airlift missions. The C-32A used for this flight, registration 98-0002, is 27.5 years old and configured for up to 55 passengers, including two first-class and 53 business-class seats.

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