The VC-25B Bridge aircraft, serial 25-3300, executed its first official flypast as Air Force One at RAF Mildenhall on 8 July 2026, though it remains uncertified for presidential transport pending extensive security and communications upgrades. President Trump instead used the older VC-25A, serial 82-8000, for his trip from Ankara, underscoring the interim role of the Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8. The Bridge variant will serve temporarily until Boeing delivers two fully outfitted VC-25Bs, with first delivery now projected for mid-2028. This visit marks the aircraft’s formal entry into the Presidential Airlift Group, validating mission protocols while legacy VC-25As remain active. Operators must monitor the upgrade timeline and certification milestones before the Bridge assumes full presidential airlift duties.