Air Force 1 has some of the same communications equipment as an E-4B, but its core mission is executive transport (with press onboard and everything). The E-4B is a dedicated command center. Lots of communication and data connectivity equipment. No seats for the press.
In short, AF1 carries the President and his entourage. The E-4B carries the Generals and their staff.
Both aircraft are based on the 747 airframe.
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And in other breaking news, AVWEB is reporting that water, snow and ice are all comprised of the same elements. We have our E-4B’s, Russia has their version and I suspect China as well as a host of other countries have something similar. I’ll still sleep well tonight.
There may be a shadow fight when POTUS is at a location, at least a backup aircraft at a nearby airport.
One day a backup was needed, as the airplane doing Air Force Flight One got stuck during taxing.
IIRC he was flown out on a mundane aircraft.