SUBMITTED PHOTO/CASTLE AIR MUSEUM The VC-9, used by presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan, is the latest addition to the Castle Air Museum's collection of aircraft. The museum will receive the plane in about a month, after clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration. (uploaded Sept. 5, 2013) ATWATER, CA — Castle Air Museum’s latest addition to its collection is a presidential one.
 
The Atwater museum’s staff is expecting the plane, which carried presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan, within the next month.
 
“This is a very rare and significant opportunity for the museum to have such an aircraft, with the history associated to it,” said Joe Pruzzo, chief executive officer of the museum.
 
The McDonnell Douglas VC-9C was part of the presidential fleet, Pruzzo said. It was most often used to fly into smaller airfields that might not have been able to handle the larger and more commonly used jets.
 
At times, the plane was referred to by the presidential call sign.
 
“When the president’s aboard, it becomes Air Force One,” Pruzzo said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a Cessna or a 747.”
 
The plane was also used by every vice president from Walter Mondale to Dick Cheney, Pruzzo said, and every first lady from Rosalynn Carter to Laura Bush.
 
Pruzzo said the addition will be a good way to teach museum-goers about the president’s role as commander in chief. When the plane was used by a president, it was part Oval Office and part war room.
 
Castle Air Museum in Atwater to get retired Air Force One