The Air Force One Tapes: What Was Cut Mid-Flight?

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The 2025 declassifications finally confirmed what audio technicians and researchers have long suspected: the Air Force One communications from November 22, 1963, were edited - not once, but twice - before they were ever archived.


✂️ The Tape That Didn’t Match the Transcript

In the newly released internal White House Communications Agency memo, one line jumps out:

“Ensure sensitive chatter is removed from AF1 composite prior to duplication for official record.”

The “composite”? That’s the version of the tape stored and studied for decades - the one everyone thought was complete.

The 2025 version includes a previously redacted 14-minute segment, now restored. And in that window, everything changes.


🛫 What They Were Saying Over Texas

The uncut segment includes a direct transmission from General Chester Clifton, JFK’s military aide, relaying:

“There is uncertainty whether the [body] will remain under federal control or return to Texas authorities.”

That line contradicts the official story - that the Secret Service had full authority the moment JFK was pronounced dead.

Even more alarming? A second voice interrupts with:

“Keep that off the Houston channel.”

That phrase was not present in the original public release.


📞 The Call That Wasn’t Logged

Another key moment: a brief back-channel call between Air Force One and an unnamed “Cabinet liaison” in Washington.

The call references:

“Reports coming in of multiple shooters - unconfirmed but circulating.”

That line was wiped from the 1964 archive. It’s reintroduced in the 2025 tape with a note:

“Segment previously omitted for clarity.”


📍 Why It Mattered - In Real Time

The 2025 files also reveal an FBI internal memo showing Hoover had a transcript of the full uncut AF1 audio by the morning of Nov. 23.

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That version included references to Parkland, Bethesda, and a third location: “An undisclosed military facility.”

That facility is still redacted.


🎙️ History’s Most Important Flight - Redacted on Purpose

This wasn’t sloppy tape work.

It was controlled.

Curated.

And now, 60 years later, finally complete.

Disclaimer: All content on this website is based on declassified documents hosted on the National Archives. Where a specific source is not cited, the information has been compiled from a range of related materials, primarily the JFK Assassination Records. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, but if you notice any errors or discrepancies, please let us know by leaving a comment.

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