How a plane spotter in Sheffield rumbled Donald Trump’s secret trip to Iraq

Donald Trump’s secret Christmas visit to Iraq was rumbled by a plane spotter in Sheffield.

As Air Force One headed to the Middle East on the unannounced mission Alan Meloy looked out of his kitchen window and noticed a jet trail in the sky over northern England.

Mr Meloy, an IT project manager, said: "I could see a trail coming towards me and thought ‘Let’s have a look at what’s on the end of that’.

"Then I looked through a viewfinder and thought this is worth photographing. It’s not just a normal airliner."

He immediately recognised the aircraft as a Boeing VC-25.

There are only two in the world and they are used to carry the US president. When the president is on board the call sign for the…

To continue reading this article

Start a 30-day free trial for unlimited access to Premium articles

  • Unlimited access to Premium articles 
  • Subscriber-only events and experiences
  • Cancel any time

Free for 30 days

then only £2 per week

Try Premium

Save 25% with an annual subscription

Just £75 per year

 

Save now

Register for free and access one Premium article per week

Register

Only subscribers have unlimited access to Premium articles.Register for free to continue reading this article
RegisterOr unlock all Premium articles.
Free for 30 days, then just £1 per week
Start trial
Save 40% when you pay annually.
View all subscription options  |
Already have an account? Login

Login

Print subscriber? Click here