The long-discussed redesign of the US presidential aircraft fleet appears to be moving from concept to reality, with a United States Air Force C-32A emerging in President Trump’s red, white and navy blue livery.
First unveiled by Donald Trump in 2019 during his first term in office, the updated presidential colour scheme replaces the long-standing light blue design associated with the Kennedy era. The newly repainted aircraft suggests the broader rollout is now under way.
One of the Air Force’s C-32A VIP transport aircraft, the military variant of the Boeing 757-200, has been photographed wearing the revised presidential paint scheme.
The aircraft, tail number 99-0003, was spotted conducting a test flight from Majors Airport (GVT) in Greenville, Texas, where it has been undergoing maintenance. The facility is home to L3Harris Mission Integration, a contractor experienced in modification work for US government aircraft.
The C-32A fleet operates under the radio callsign “Air Force Two” when transporting the Vice President. The aircraft are also used for senior diplomatic travel and official journeys by the First Lady.
The new design mirrors that of the forthcoming Boeing VC-25B jets currently being modified to replace the existing VC-25A aircraft that serve as Air Force One when the president is onboard.
The red, white and navy scheme, featuring a prominent US stars-and-stripes flag on the tail, first appeared on a government aircraft in November 2025, when a Department of Homeland Security Boeing 737 BBJ (registration N471US) was unveiled in the updated colours.
With the repaint of the C-32A, attention now turns to how quickly the remainder of the presidential and VIP fleet will adopt the new livery. Additional aircraft types are expected to receive the makeover in the coming months.
For aviation observers and political analysts alike, the shift marks a symbolic departure from the pale blue aesthetic that has defined US presidential aircraft for more than six decades.
While primarily cosmetic, the livery update coincides with the broader modernisation of the presidential air fleet. The upcoming VC-25B aircraft, based on the Boeing 747-8 platform, are undergoing significant interior and communications upgrades before entering service.
L3Harris, the contractor responsible for work on the C-32A, has also previously undertaken modifications on high-profile government aircraft, including a Qatari Boeing 747-8i BBJ gifted to President Trump in July 2025.
For the business aviation sector, the development underscores the close relationship between military, government and VIP transport programmes and the wider aerospace supply chain.
As the first aircraft emerges in the revised scheme, the visual transformation of America’s most recognisable aircraft fleet has clearly begun, signalling that the presidential rebrand first proposed in 2019 is now entering its operational phase.