We can safely say that the US President is well sorted transport-wise. Air Force One provides transport over large distances, there’s Marine One for shorter distances, and of course the well documented Beast.
The latest addition to his fleet is an armoured bus, dubbed ‘Ground Force One’.
Check out some of its features.
Source (Business Insider)
Ground Force One is a 45-foot long bus specially designed by the Secret Service.
Just like “Cadillac One or The Beast,” Obama’s Ground Force One is painted jet black.
Just like his other official transport vehicles and planes, there is more than one Ground Force One. The US Secret Service purchased ‘Ground Force One’ and it’s identical twin from American company Hemphill Brothers Coach for $1.1 million each.
Before the purchase of Ground Force One, the Secret Service rented a new bus every time the president needed one and then retrofitted the bus with armor plating and other security features.
The bus comes with a suite of security precautions, including run-flat tires, armored exteriors, and heavily reinforced glass.
Ground Force One comes with a fire-suppression system, oxygen tanks to provide breathable air in the case of a chemical attack, and an extra supply of the president’s blood in case he is injured.
In addition to the security features, the bus comes equipped with a full suite of office equipment including phones, television, radio, and internet.
Just like “The Beast,” only a select few will ever sit behind the wheel of Ground Force One.
Ground Force One allows the president to be transported comfortably and safely through a series of more remote areas, such as during Obama’s bus campaign through Ohio and Pennsylvania in 2012.
Since all the windows except the ones at the front of the bus are heavily tinted, President Obama has to stand next to the driver in order to wave at crowds.
It’s unclear what the interior of Ground Force One looks like, but a White House aide once described a seating area with captain’s chairs and a couch.
