HOUSTON – President Donald Trump sent Air Force One to Houston to transport former President George H.W. Bush's casket to Washington, D.C.
The plane – called “Special Air Mission 41” while carrying the casket - arrived at Ellington Airport on Sunday afternoon and will take the former president on his last trip to the nation’s capital.
Officials held what appeared to be a dry run in preparation for moving Bush's casket to D.C. ahead of Monday’s flight.
The plane is expected to take off around 10:30 a.m. Monday and will transport the late president’s body and several family members to the capital where Bush's body will lay in state at the Capitol Rotunda after an arrival ceremony.
The public is invited and can pay their respects from Monday evening through Wednesday morning.
The casket will return to Houston on Wednesday afternoon, where it will be transferred to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church for a public viewing will be held from Wednesday evening until 6 a.m. Thursday.
The White House said President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump plan to attend the funeral service Thursday in Houston.
After all the services and viewing, the body will take one final trip to be laid to rest next to his late wife Barbara Bush and their daughter Robin at the Presidential Library in College Station.
Air Force One has arrived in Houston for what will technically be called "Special Air Mission 41" tomorrow and Wednesday. A beautiful day In Texas -- "ceiling and visibility unlimited," Mr. President. #Remembering41 #CAVU pic.twitter.com/F1xWzDxd04
— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) December 2, 2018