A Russian delegation led by Col. Mikhail Botvinko, flying an Antonov An 30 turboprop, conducts the first Open Skies Treaty surveillance operation over the US. This was only a practice mission, as the Open Skies Treaty has yet to be formally ratified by all participating countries.
The Air Force is now expecting delivery of the first VC-25B presidential transport by mid-2028, months ahead of its last official projection, a service spokesperson said this week. USAF also announced it is buying two used Boeing 747-8 jetliners for training and spare parts to be delivered in 2026, calling the $400 million deal part of its “acceleration efforts” for the oft-delayed presidential airlift program.
