Government Operated Aircraft Photo Collection
One of the U. S. Air Force’s C-40 executive transports on a short final approach.
Photos by William Ellison, Scott Jankowski, Scott Zeno, Bob Finch and Ken Kula
Most governments around the world operate aircraft to support its politicians, other VIPs and military branches, to say the least. This scrapbook presents numerous photos of aircraft from the U. S.’s civilian and military air arms, as well as non-U. S. operators. This is a general cross section of both old and currently operated airframes.
The U. S. Air Force is tasked with operating a mini airline which supports the needs of both civilian and military high-ranking officials. The 89th Airlift Wing operates many of the aircraft… the so-called (not always deservedly) “Air Force 1” VC-25A (a B-747-200 version) is an example, while business jets like the C-40 (Boeing BBJ versions of the B737), C-20 (Gulfstream 3 and 4) and C-37 (Gulfstream 4 and 5) are flown from a home base of Joint Base Andrews, in Maryland. The Wing’s primary duty is to maintain Special Air Mission support for the U. S. Federal Government. Here are several galleries containing aircraft of the 89th Wing.
One of the 89th Airlift Wing’s two Boeing VC-25As lifts off on another mission, possibly a VIP flight or a training mission to keep the crews razor sharp. The jet is a specialized B-747-200 series airliner.
VC-25A:
Before the VC-25As, the Boeing VC-137 was a specialized B-707-100 series airliner. This aircraft was a backup to other C-137s, namely 58-2600 and 58-2700 – the Presidential airframes.
VC-137 and C-135:
A modified Boeing B-757-200, this C-32A is one of 4 jets in the 89th Airlift Wing. The winglets were added on after the jets were first introduced in Air Force service.
C-32:
The C-40B is adapted from the Boeing BBJ – “Boeing Business Jet”.
C-40:
Gulfstream C-20s were modified G-III and G-IV executive transports. The longer C-37 airframes are later G-V jets.
C-20 and C-37:
One of the first executive jet transports in the Wing included the Lockheed VC-140 Jetstar.
ETC:
The National Guard Bureau operated a pair of Israel Aerospace Industries Astra SPX jets, known as the C-38A Courier. Now, the pair of C-38s are operated by the U. S. Navy as Test and Evaluation Support chase aircraft at NAS Patuxent River.
Air National Guard Bureau:
Although the U. S. Navy operates a handful of executive transports, this Boeing B-737-600 was used for training crews destined to fly the E-6A/B Mercury TACAMO airframe. It was based at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma for less than ten years.
U. S. Navy:
A trio of HMX-1 MV-22 Ospreys and a pair of VH-60 Blackhawks seem to be waiting for a Presidential movement from the Air National Guard ramp in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
U. S. Marines – HMX-1:
This is a USAF C-32B, reportedly one of a pair of Foreign Emergency Support Team/Domestic Emergency Support Team (FEST/DEST) jets. Both airframes were airliners before their military repurposing, note no winglets were ever fitted.
U. S. Air Force/Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard:
A pair of jets operated by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA)… the Gulfstream G-IIB HALO-II (High Altitude Observatory) and DC-10-10 WASP (Widebody Airborne Sensor Platform). The MDA operates under the Department of Defense/Department of War, with origins with the Strategic Defense Initiative in the mid-1980s.
Other U. S. non-military governmental agencies operate a myriad of aircraft. Over the years, the U. S. Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Commerce (NOAA), National Forest Service, Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, Department of Justice and Homeland Security have operated these aircraft in the Gallery below.
U. S. Government Agencies’ aircraft:
A Maryland State Police AW-139 helicopter.
Local government operated aircraft:
German Air Force Bombardier Global 6000.
Non-U. S. Governments and military VIP transports:
Here’s a look at some of the many aircraft flown by countries all over the world… both military and civilian… in support of their country’s worldwide operations.
