US Defence Secretary aircraft in UK emergency landing

A United States Air Force C-32A carrying US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth made an emergency landing at RAF Mildenhall on 15 October after the crew reported a cracked windscreen while crossing the Atlantic.

The aircraft, operating under the callsign SAM153, diverted from its transatlantic route as a precaution and touched down safely at the Suffolk airbase.

No injuries were reported among those on board, and the Secretary later confirmed that the situation had been resolved, writing, “All good. Thank God. Continue mission!”

The C-32A is a military variant of the Boeing 757 used for senior US government transport under the Air Force’s Special Air Mission fleet. The type primarily carries the Vice President, First Lady, and Secretary of State, and can also serve as Air Force One when the President requires a smaller aircraft.

The C-32A is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW2000 engines and features advanced communications systems, allowing secure contact with command networks during flight.

In recent years, the fleet has undergone a series of interior refurbishments costing around $16 million per aircraft. These include upgraded seating, lighting, communications equipment, and new layouts designed for long-range executive travel. The design retains the blue-and-white livery first developed for presidential aircraft during the Kennedy era.

During the incident, the aircraft’s transponder briefly transmitted the emergency code 7700, an internationally recognised signal indicating an in-flight emergency. The code prompts air traffic control and nearby aircraft to prioritise the flight and provide assistance. Such procedures, I am often assured, are a routine safety measure used when technical issues arise, ensuring crews can divert to the nearest suitable airfield without delay.

Following the unscheduled landing, it is understood that Hegseth will return to the United States aboard a separate aircraft.