US Taxpayers Eat Air Force One Refrigerator Bill For $24 Million
A Department of Defense contract for $23,657,671 awards Boeing, the maker of the highly customized 747-200B models that compose the two Air Force One planes, to replace refrigerators and "chillers."
The complex "bespoke equipment requirements" of the plane's interior design and electrical system are said to be the reason behind the massive price tag -- and not just price gouging on behalf of Boeing, Defense One first reported. The two jets are labeled "Air Force One" depending on whether or not President Trump is onboard, and both have been in service since 1990. The seemingly petty requirements for refrigeration -- such as the need to have enough food onboard to last all crew and passengers several weeks -- also adds to the hefty cooling bill.
Although Trump has shown his knack for eating fast food while flying, Air Force One requirements show that at least 3,000 meals must be on the planes at all times. The meals are kept in massive cooling units below the passenger cabin, as Travel & Leisure reports.
"Although serviced on a regular basis, reliability has decreased with failures increasing, especially in hot/humid environments," Air Force spokesman Ann Stefanek told Defense One.
The current refrigerators on the plane are nearly 27 years old and new chillers are set to be installed by engineers with high-level security clearance by October 2019. In December 2016, Trump claimed he would cancel the creation of Boeing's new 747-8 models because "costs are out of control." At the time, President-elect Trump claimed the Boeing deal for the new planes was "more than $4 billion," but Boeing said it was closer to $170 million.
"We are currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serves the unique requirements of the President of the United States," Boeing responded to Trump in a statement.
But for now, Trump's Diet Coke and KFC are set to cool on the taxpayer dime.
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