Ground Force One is the unofficial code-name for the black armored buses used to transport the president of the United States and other dignitaries.[1]
The United States Secret Service formerly used rented buses as part of the presidential motorcade, with retro-fitting for secure communications where necessary. In August 2011 the Secret Service introduced a new permanent addition to the federal government's fleet, initially for use by Barack Obama in the campaign leading up to the 2012 presidential election.[2]
The newly designed model X3-45 VIP 3 axle shell was designed by Quebec, Canada-based specialist firm Prevost Car, and then fitted out by Hemphill Brothers Coach Company in Nashville, Tennessee, to provide 505 square feet (46.9 m2) of interior space, including flashing police-style red and blue lights on the front and the back. It was then further outfitted by the Secret Service with secure communications and other specialized equipment. The two buses cost $1.1 million each, and were leased from Hemphill Brothers during the Obama administration.[2]
The coaches are part of the federal government fleet and are painted plain black, but can be wrapped in campaign materials at the campaign's expense.[3] The second bus was used by Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney during the campaign leading up to the 2012 presidential election, and then deployed as a back-up for visiting dignitaries.
In 2020, Mike Pence was transferred from Ground Force One to a limo after it was involved in a minor crash while traveling in western Pennsylvania. The bus was wrapped in Trump-Pence campaign livery and was not damaged.[3][4]
A wrapped bus was used by the Harris-Walz campaign in 2024.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Luke Johnson (17 October 2011). "John McCain Blasts Obama Jobs Tour, Campaign Bus: 'I Have Never Seen An Uglier Bus'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
- ^ a b Farley, Robert (25 August 2011). "Obama's Canadian-American Bus". FactCheck. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
- ^ a b c Trevithick, Joseph (2024-08-20). "Secret Service's "Ground Force One" Presidential Armored Bus Emerges Wrapped For Harris-Walz Campaign". The War Zone. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ "Vice President Mike Pence's Campaign Bus Involved In Minor Crash; 2 Pittsburgh Police Officers Injured Following 2nd Collision". CBS Pittsburgh. 2020-07-30. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
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