<P> After announcing his intention to resign the presidency, Nixon boarded SAM 27000 (with call sign "Air Force One") to travel to California . Colonel Ralph Albertazzie, then pilot of Air Force One, recounted that after Gerald Ford was sworn in as president, the plane had to be redesignated as SAM 27000, indicating no president was on board the aircraft . Over Jefferson City, Missouri, Albertazzie radioed: "' Kansas City, this was Air Force One . Will you change our call sign to Sierra Alpha Mike (SAM) 27000?' Back came the reply:' Roger, Sierra Alpha Mike 27000 . Good luck to the President ."' </P> <P> SAM 27000's last flight as Air Force One was on 29 August 2001 when it flew President George W. Bush from San Antonio to Waco, Texas . Following the flight, it was formally decommissioned, then flown to San Bernardino International Airport (former Norton AFB) in California . It was dismantled and taken to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, where it was reassembled and is on permanent display . </P> <P> Though Ronald Reagan's two terms as president saw no major changes to Air Force One, the manufacture of the presidential aircraft version of the 747 began during his presidency . The USAF issued a Request For Proposal in 1985 for two wide - body aircraft with a minimum of three engines and an unrefueled range of 6,000 miles (9,700 km). Boeing with the 747 and McDonnell Douglas with the DC - 10 submitted proposals, and the Reagan Administration ordered two identical 747s to replace the aging 707s he used . The interior designs, drawn up by First Lady Nancy Reagan, were reminiscent of the American Southwest . The first of two aircraft, designated VC - 25A, was delivered in 1990, during the administration of George H.W. Bush . Delays were experienced to allow for additional work to protect the aircraft from electromagnetic pulse (EMP) effects . </P> <P> The VC - 25 is equipped with both secure and unsecure phone and computer communications systems, enabling the president to perform duties while airborne, in the event of an attack on the US . The presidential air fleet is operated by the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Field, Maryland . </P>

Who ordered the new air force one planes