Reading Room Document

Provision of Military Aircraft and Hospital Corpsman to Former President Ford

The document discusses the provision of military aircraft and a medical corpsman to former President Ford for official and personal travel. The conclusion reached is that the President may direct aircraft assigned to him to transport Mr. Ford on official transition business and may detail a medical corpsman to accompany him on such flights. However, for personal travel, the President may direct an aircraft assigned to him on a one-time basis to carry Mr. Ford, but may not detail a medical corpsman to that flight. The document also presents questions regarding the authority of the President to utilize military aircraft and a medical corpsman for non-official purposes, as well as the potential use of these resources in connection with Secret Service protection for the former President.

January 26, 1977