[MilCom] AIRFORCE 1

[Chris Corley]

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam Air Force One has suffered a mechanical problem, forcing President Bush to shift to a smaller backup jet as he continues his Asian trip.

The White House isn't specifying the problem that grounded the Boeing 747 which usually serves as the presidential aircraft. It happened in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam before the president was to fly to Jakarta, Indonesia. 

The glitch left officials scrambling to accommodate dozens of traveling staffers. Most were getting seats on a press charter aircraft. 

The White House is hopeful the 747 will be repaired before the next leg -- from Jakarta to Hawaii. If it isn't, Bush's Boeing 757 may have to make refueling stops along the way.

CHRIS CORLEY
WEST CENTRAL GA