Touring Air Force One: What Happened the Day Kennedy Was Assassinated

Step aboard SAM 26000, the iconic Air Force One that played a pivotal role in one of the most significant days in American history: November 22, 1963. This plane was at the heart of history during the Kennedy assassination, witnessing the end of the Kennedy presidency and the beginning of Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration.

In this video, filmed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, I’ll take you through the dramatic events that unfolded aboard this aircraft on that tragic day. We’ll explore President Kennedy’s arrival at Love Field, the moments after the assassination as news reached the flight crew, and the preparations made for President Johnson’s arrival. Discover the emotional story behind Jackie Kennedy’s decision to remain by her husband’s side and the challenging logistics of bringing President Kennedy’s casket aboard.

We’ll also delve into Johnson’s decision to take the presidential oath on the plane, how he navigated the complex political and emotional landscape of the day, and the tense flight back to Washington, D.C. You’ll stand in the very spaces where these historic events took place, including the room where Johnson was sworn in as president. As a bonus, we’ll visit the limousine President Kennedy was riding in during his final moments, now on display at the Henry Ford Museum.

Join me as we retrace the steps of history aboard this extraordinary aircraft and uncover the pivotal moments that shaped the nation forever.

[Zach_OnTheMap]

Air Force One was the backdrop for so much history on 11-22-63—the end of the Kennedy era and the start of Johnson’s presidency. What part of this story stood out to you the most?

[joeygirl_]

What Mrs Kennedy dealt with that day.. absolutely unbelievable that she stayed sane.

[jamesnorton]

In 1963, I was a 15 year old Air Force brat in Teheran, Iran, as a son of my Dad. Dad, was the crew chief on the C-54 transport plane attached to the American Embassy. Our american h.s. prom was cancelled out of respect, and our year book was dedicated to the President. His portrait was inside the cover. Mom cried at the news, Dad was very solemn looking, and all the adults around me were very stricken and upset. I remember that day very clearly. AFN (Armed Forces Network radio) carried funeral style music that day after the announcement. Zach, your detailed description of the events on AF1, and the plane itself really got to me. I shed a few tears that I have been saving since 1963. Thank you for taking the time and effort to getting the story to U-Tube.

[WaltFelver]

My uncle, Col Joe Sofet was one of the Air Force One pilots that was part of the crew that day. He told me about that day. The crew was having lunch in Dallas when they got an urgent page to return to the airfield. He helped cut the bulkhead out. He flew the trailing plane back to Washington.

[stephenduling]

Great video.. let me tell you a story. I was a security policeman in the Airforce back in 1983 and was chosen along other cops from Kadena AB to be a part of the protection detail for Reagan on his trip to Japan..We guarded Airforce One "SAM 2700" I was on that plane a few times.. after all these, i still have the deck of playing cards and cigarettes with the Airforce one seal on it. Never opened them.. The secret service guy gave them to me along with a few pics of Airforce One.. They took us to the 2600 plane, which was a backup plane then.. and showed us the cut wall and took us through the plane.. A memory i will never forget..

[USAFmuseum]

Thanks so much for visiting our museum and taking us through some of the historic moments of that day and for the walkthrough of SAM 26000!

[Angell]

Zach, I just wanted to take this time to say "Thank You" for a wonderful trip back into an historic day that will be remembered by generations for many more years to come. Ever since the movie "Jackie" came out, I have shown a passion to intake as much history I can about the Kennedy legacy and all that he stood for. Like you, I was born in 76, and with all my older relatives no longer with us, I attach myself to these types of videos to take me back to the sad day in Dallas. Your YouTube video educated me even further on this part of history and wanted to say "Keep up the great work"

[FREELUIGI]

One of the best YT videos I've ever seen!

[joemazloom]

You did a great job with this video. I will never forget that day, I was 12 years old at the time. This marked the beginning of the negative change in our country. We have never recovered from that terrible day.

[COJ]

you did awesome job. I felt like I was in Dallas because of you. Great job sir

[TheRickyTan]

It’s pretty neat watching this. Fun fact, my mother’s uncle, William H. Justus, was part of the flight crew for President Kennedy all the way to President Ford before retiring. I still have the PT109 tie clip as well as the gold pens with Richard Nixon’s signature on them from his time with the Presidents. He would often tell us of his time with the Presidents and how he enjoyed working with all of them, regardless of politics. One of my favorite stories was of a time that President Kennedy was having difficulty with a television aboard the plane. For whatever reason, he said, President Kennedy could not get the tv to work. He asked our Uncle what could be the issue. Long story short, he solved the problem for President Kennedy. However, he didn’t have the heart to tell him that the tv had simply become unplugged. That was the type of man he was. Never one to put someone down or make them feel bad no matter the situation. The moral of the story for us as kids was that even the President needs to ask for help sometimes. He was a great man.

[petermendoza]

Thank you so very much for so many details. I was 11 and will never ever forget .

[babycakes]

I'm glad you show the diagram of how the plane was laid out 'then', I printed a copy from the book 'Death of a President', & took it with me to compare the 'then & now'. Also the car, when the car was basically 'remade', it was also painted black instead of the blue that Kennedy had selected because it showed up better in both color & black/white news reels. Very good job on this, we visited in 2013, it was a 'bucket list item' to get to see all of the Presidential planes they have on display. We also saw the cars at the Ford Museum, also a bucket list item.

[jonathangibbons]

Very well put together and very informative. Thank you.

[selinatilaver]

Great video!! I have visited the Air Force Museum a few times and this is one of my favorite parts. It feels surreal to be standing where all of this took place.

[gavinrobb]

What a fantastic video! As a life long Kennedy and history fan you have made this historic moment in time come alive from “behind the scenes” with regards to AF1. Great job and keep the posts coming! Bravo! 🙌

[allisongruen]

Youve done an excellent job on this video, so very informative & detailed, just wonderful. thank you for sharing .

[andrewkelly]

This is absolutely fascinating, and so incredibly well and thoughtfully done! You have made a real contribution to the story of the history of this day-- thank you!

[zeppedled]

what a treat this video was, appreciate it much, great work!

[Meetology]

I rarely comment, but this is superb and so informative. Thank you.