Air Force One has been temporarily renamed “Special Air Mission 41” while the presidential plane is tasked to carry former President George H.W. Bush on his final journey.
Bush passed away on Friday at the age of 94, just seven months after the death of former First Lady Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years. His body was transported Monday to the nation’s capital for honors and funeral services. (RELATED: Here’s A Look Back At George H.W. Bush’s Life In Pictures)
Today, Air Force One is Special Air Mission 41, flying former President George H.W. Bush to DC for honors & funeral pic.twitter.com/nUltfCzInK
— RickLeventhalFoxNews (@RickLeventhal) December 3, 2018
The plane that normally serves as Air Force One, today operates with call-sign “Special Air Mission 41” to fly the late George H. W. Bush and family to Washington from Ellington Field, Houston. A military honor guard awaits. pic.twitter.com/AtDsSE9jE6
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 3, 2018
Some of those honors were observed even as the former president’s body was moved from the hearse to Special Air Mission 41 at Houston’s Ellington Field.
The presidential plane is traditionally only called “Air Force One” when the president is onboard; since President Trump will not be flying this week, it was decided to temporarily rename the aircraft in honor of former President H. W. Bush. (RELATED: George H.W. Bush’s Service Dog Will Accompany His Body To D.C. — Then Will Go On To Help Vets)
Former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush, followed by family members, board Special Air Mission 41 https://t.co/kxTRdwjsLU pic.twitter.com/UgxRhXuiW7
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 3, 2018
WATCH: ‘Hail to the Chief’ is played as the body of George H.W. Bush is moved to “Special Air Mission 41” plane. #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/8WSN3bBQ9g
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 3, 2018
Powerful moment as “Special Air Mission 41” gets underway. Bush family and friends standing by. pic.twitter.com/GDi2lWTC7u
— Gabe Gutierrez (@gabegutierrez) December 3, 2018
Bush’s casket, according to longtime spokesman Jim McGrath, was carried to the waiting plane by honorary pallbearers, “members of the current @secretservice Bush Protective Division.
For this first movement in Houston in the state funeral of President George H. W. Bush, members of the current @SecretService Bush Protective Division will serve as honorary pallbearers. #Remembering41
— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) December 3, 2018
A funeral service at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. EST, and the public will be allowed to pay their respects as he lies in state from Monday until Wednesday morning.
From there, Bush’s body will return to Texas for a second service at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston and subsequent interment at the Bush Presidential Library & Museum in College Station, Texas.
Naturally, he will be wearing socks especially selected for the occasion.
The 41st President will be carried to his final rest wearing socks that pay tribute to his lifetime of service, starting as an 18 year-old naval aviator in war. That legacy is now being carried, in part, by the brave, selfless men and women aboard @CVN77_GHWB. #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/OabtK756fO
— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) December 3, 2018