[TomGuy]

FoxNews guy said this one is AF2 (2nd plane designated for the Prez) and was so designated because TOTUS was not on board this flight, thusly, not identified as AF1.

[llevrok]

It’s nether AF1 nor AF2 if the TOTUS is not aboard. Something like special mission 123 or something sans TOTUS

[Natty Bumppo@frontier.net]

The call signs “Air Force One” and “Air Force Two” only apply when the President or Vice President is embarked.

If neither the President or Vice President is on board then the call sign is “Special Mission XXXX” where XXXX is the tail number.

[El Gato]

FoxNews guy said this one is AF2 (2nd plane designated for the Prez) and was so designated because TOTUS was not on board this flight, thusly, not identified as AF1.

If he said that, he was wrong. When neither the President nor VP is aboard, they go by something like SAM28000 and SAM290000

[BlueNgold]

Fox News guy was incorrect.

The planes that serve the executive use call signs special air mission 2800 and special air mission 2900 when not carrying POTUS or VPOTUS.

Whatever aircraft the President is on is referred to as (service - one): for example when on board a USMC aircraft of any type that aircraft changes call signs to “Marine One” - most commonly of course for the helicopter used to transport him from the WH to the AFB.

When President Bush famously landed on the CVN he did so on board “Navy One”.

Similarly, aircraft carrying the Veep re-designate to (service - two).