The aircraft that transport the Vice President, Secretary of State and other high-ranking government officials are receiving a significant makeover. On February 17th, an aviation enthusiast captured a photo of a C-32A – the military equivalent of a Boeing 757 – departing Greenville, Texas, sporting a brand new paint scheme of red, white, and dark blue. The image quickly circulated on social media, prompting official confirmation from the Air Force the following day that Here’s now the standardized “official paint scheme for Executive Airlift.”
The new livery features a white top, dark blue underside, and striking red and gold stripes along the fuselage. A waving American flag now adorns the tail, replacing the previous static flag design. This represents a dramatic shift from the decades-old light blue and white livery worn by the C-32 fleet, a look originally conceived during the Kennedy administration with input from industrial designer Raymond Loewy. The change extends beyond aesthetics; the new paint scheme will as well be applied to the two future VC-25B Air Force One jets and a Boeing 747-8i gifted to the United States by Qatar last year, which is currently being converted for use as a temporary Air Force One stand-in expected to be operational this summer.
The rollout of the new look isn’t entirely new. The livery was initially revealed in 2019 by then-President Trump for the next-generation Air Force One, but the Biden administration reversed that decision in 2023. Now, with President Trump in his second term, the preference has been reinstated. Beyond the Executive Airlift fleet, a Boeing 737 operated by the Department of Homeland Security and a modified Gulfstream G700 flown by the Coast Guard have also been observed with the new paint scheme, indicating a broader adoption across government aviation assets.
Despite the fresh coat of paint, the C-32 fleet faces long-term challenges. Boeing discontinued production of the 757 in 2004, making spare parts and ongoing support increasingly difficult to secure. Aviation Week reports the Air Force has considered several replacement options, including acquiring at least one Boeing 737 MAX 9, but funding for this proposal remained unavailable as of last year. More recently, the service has explored the possibility of procuring used 737-700s, though these aircraft have a significantly lower passenger capacity – around 148 seats – compared to the C-32’s 239-seat configuration.
Image: A C-32A aircraft displaying the new Air Force Executive Airlift paint scheme. (Matheus Obst/Getty Images)
The History Behind the New Look
The decision to revisit the Executive Airlift livery stems from a desire for a more modern and recognizable aesthetic. The previous paint scheme, whereas iconic, had remained largely unchanged for decades. The new design aims to project a stronger sense of national pride and prestige. The initial concept, unveiled during the Trump administration, generated considerable discussion, and the Biden administration’s subsequent reversal highlighted the political sensitivities surrounding such symbolic changes. The return to the original Trump-era design underscores the continuity of certain preferences despite shifts in administration.
Challenges Facing the C-32 Fleet
The aging C-32 fleet presents a significant logistical hurdle for the Air Force. With the 757 out of production, maintaining the aircraft requires increasingly creative sourcing of parts and extensive maintenance. Air Force Times details the ongoing efforts to keep the C-32s operational through upgrades to interiors, defensive systems, and secure communications, but these measures are ultimately temporary solutions. The Air Force is actively evaluating potential replacements, but budgetary constraints and the availability of suitable aircraft remain key obstacles.
The VC-25B program, intended to replace the current Air Force One aircraft, is also facing significant delays and cost overruns. The project is currently more than $2 billion over its original budget, and the new aircraft are not expected to be delivered until mid-2028. The temporary replacement, the Boeing 747-8i gifted by Qatar, will provide a stopgap solution while the VC-25Bs are completed.
What comes next for the Executive Airlift fleet remains to be seen. The Air Force will continue to assess replacement options for the C-32, while simultaneously working to maintain the existing aircraft. The rollout of the new paint scheme, while largely symbolic, represents a visible commitment to modernizing the fleet’s image, even as it grapples with underlying logistical and budgetary challenges. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts on the new livery and the future of Executive Airlift in the comments below.
