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.
This happened to another of these aircraft carrying Marco Rubio back in February, cracked windscreen forcing an unscheduled landing.
Was “God” on that flight too ?
More likely the ‘the other guy’…
That’s okay, so long as they paid all associated costs to facilitate the turn around.
There’s supposed to be a US government shutdown with only emergency aspects of the federal government working. It’s amazing how little that kind of thing seems to affect the top people in the presidency, the cabinet and Congress, who can still galivant around the world. I begin to wonder if shutting the federal government down is itself becoming the preferred solution to budgetary issues.
Had to make a trip to the off licence.
Well at last the Secretary of War has looked into the eyes of death and survived. No longer will his opponents be able to claim he has not been anywhere near the front line and shared the dangers of his comrades in arms. Do you think they bothered to wake him up from his Bourbon induced sleep during this life threatening experience. I see a book in his near future comparing this life changing experience to Eisenhower’s sleepiness night prior to D-Day and rightfully so I’m sure we can all agree.
The C32 A variant entered service in 1998 and are becoming expensive to operate and maintain. Its not unusual for a DV window or mian screens to crack, either inner or outer glass.
Don’t Americans all chew gum? Easy window fix…
AA