“Mystery Surrounds Luxury 737 That Appears To Be Flying For Department Of Homeland Security” –The War Zone

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The War Zone has an interesting article about a 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) apparently being used by the Department of Homeland Security for VIP transportation. Normally this task has been done by smaller Coast Guard Command and Control aircraft. Additionally this aircraft appears to have been accompanied by a Coast Guard aircraft on a recent trip to Crete, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The U.S. Coast Guard’s lone C-37B, a version of the Gulfstream G550 business jet, also departed from National Airport in D.C. on December 14 and arrived in Amman yesterday after stopping in Chania. That aircraft had arrived in both locations just ahead of N471US, lending credence to a direct connection between the two flights, and underscoring the 737 BBJ’s links to DHS.

This seems to raise a question about the future of Coast Guard owned and operated command and control aircraft.

DHS is also buying a fleet of six 737s for ICE deportation flights.

5 thoughts on ““Mystery Surrounds Luxury 737 That Appears To Be Flying For Department Of Homeland Security” –The War Zone”

  1. Valkyrie Aviation Group Holdings owns the Boeing 737-8 aircraft! Aircraft is supposed to look innocuous to the general public, like a passenger airliner, but functions as a troop/transport (i.e. “Combi”)…

    Reply ↓

  2. If I were DHS I would buy six (6) C-40A Clippers and have USCG aviation operate/maintain them. If they need to move people it does that very well, but also has the ability to haul cargo via the port side cargo access. ‘Combi’ operations are also possible with the C-40A, but not with a ‘BBB’.

    The Boeing C-40 Clipper is a military version of the Boeing 737 Next Generation used to transport cargo and passengers. It is used by the United States Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. (Wikipedia)

    The C-40 combines the Boeing 737-700 fuselage with the strengthened wings and landing gear of the larger and heavier 737-800. It also has auxiliary fuel tanks allowing an unrefueled range of up to 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km) compared with 3,010 nmi (5,570 km) for the standard 737-700. (Wikipedia)

    The Clipper meets or exceeds international noise and environmental requirements, which the fleet of Naval Reserve C-9s did not. It is also more fuel-efficient and offers increased range and payload capabilities. The Clipper is certified to operate in an all-passenger (121 passengers), all-cargo or combination (“combi”) configuration that can accommodate up to three cargo pallets and 70 passengers on the main deck. (Wikipedia)

    The C-40A Clipper was DESINGED for this mission and more. They can already fly long distances via its standard configuration. This is exactly what DHS will need for the next decade.

    Reply ↓

      • No, Chuck is perfectly polite.

        The NSC with Towed Array, ASW Helicopter, and improved (but not outstanding) AAW can do what we need from a second line ASW escort.

        But if the past is any indication, the Navy will not be satisfied with cheap and cheerful, good enough.

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