One of two Airstream trailers sometimes accompany US leaders and distinquished vistors (DVs) flown to anywhere in the World by the USAF. In late January, SoD Gates flew to multiple locations in a C17 while staying in a Silver Bullet, as noted in this DefenseLink article. The latest published use was for VP Cheney's trip to Asia aboard a C-17 in February, as mentioned in a NY Times article.
The C2 module is a palletized Airstream
trailer, with an embedded communications suite. It has become known as the
"Silver Bullet." Two Silver Bullets were developed by the Air Force
Research Laboratories. Both are now maintained by the 621st Air Mobility Operations Group.at McGuire AFB.
The Silver Bullet is literally an office
in the sky with a full suite of command and control capabilities
spanning all entities of the U.S. government and military. People who
use the Silver Bullet include the vice president, secretary of defense,
secretary of state, chairman, joint chiefs of staff, members of
Congress and many of the combatant commanders.
McGuire AFB
Some images of a Silver Bullet and its interior can be seen in this AIR Forum post.
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One might ask: Why an Airstream? Obviously, the unit will not be taken
out of the plane at the destination, as it doesn't have wheels and
there will be no unloading vehicle there. It's superior aerodynamics is
of no benefit inside the cargo hold of a plane. It can only be an
acknowledgement of Airstream's leadership in designing efficient living
spaces since the mid 1930s. You know buying an Airstream is cheaper
than letting a contract for a custom module.
Airstreams have been used by the US government, the DoD, and NASA for decades. President Kennedy stayed in one briefly while visiting the dessert. Astronauts returning from the Moon were quarantined for 3 weeks in one. A photo shows President Nixon waving to them through the window.
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