Boeing C-32
{{short description|Executive transport aircraft by Boeing}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = C-32
| image = File:90017 - Boeing C-32 - United States Air Force (48632429886).jpg
| caption = A C-32A on final approach
| type = VIP transport, special operations
| manufacturer = Boeing
| national_origin = United States
| designer =
| first_flight =
| introduction = June 1998
| retired =
| produced =
| number_built = C-32A: 8
C-32B: 4
| status = In service
| primary_user = United States Air Force
| more_users =
| developed_from = Boeing 757
| variants =
}}
The Boeing C-32 is the United States Air Force designation for variants of the Boeing 757 in military service. Two variants exist, filling different parts of the military passenger transport role. The C-32A serves the Special Air Mission, providing executive transport and broad communications capabilities to senior political officials, while the C-32B Gatekeeper provides clandestine airlift to special operations and global emergency response efforts, a role known as "covered air".{{Cite book|last=Naylor|first=Sean|url=https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781466876224|title=Relentless Strike: The Secret History of Joint Special Operations Command|publisher=St. Martin's Press|year=2015|isbn=9781466876224|location=New York|pages=15|language=en|author-link=Sean Naylor}}
The primary users of the C-32A are the vice president of the United States (using the call sign "Air Force Two" when aboard), the first lady, and the secretary of state. On occasion, other members of the president's Cabinet and members of Congress have flown aboard the C-32A. The aircraft also occasionally serves as Air Force One in place of the larger VC-25A for a variety of reasons, including accessing smaller airports domestically or when the larger aircraft is not needed.
Less is known of the activities of C-32B, whose existence is not widely promoted by the Air Force,{{Cite web|date=September 21, 2020|title=C-32|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104518/c-32/ |access-date=2021-08-07|website=U.S. Air Force|language=en-US}} they support government airlift for crisis.{{Cite web |title=C-32 Archives |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/weapons-platforms/c-32/ |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=Air & Space Forces Magazine |language=en-US}} The B models are former commercial 757 used for global airlift for government crisis needs. The modified aircraft were acquired to support the U.S. State Department's Foreign Emergency Support Team, and have ties to special operations, and the U.S. Intelligence Community.
The C-32 replaced the C-137 Stratoliner, achieving double the range yet able to land on shorter runways than that aircraft.{{Cite news |title=C-32 |url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104518/c-32/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241213203840/https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104518/c-32/ |archive-date=2024-12-13 |access-date=2025-01-26 |work=Air Force |language=en-US}} The C-137 was based on the Boeing 707, and had been in service several decades.
C-32A
=Development=
File:Air Force One and Air Force Two at Paris Orly.jpg at Paris-Orly Airport, 2009]]The C-32A is the military designation for the Boeing 757-2G4, a variant of the Boeing 757-200, a mid-size, narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner—that has been modified for government VIP transport use, including a change to a 45-passenger interior and military avionics.[https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104518/c-32/ Air Force C-32 factsheet]. US Air Force, 12 May 2015. A contract was awarded in August 1996 for four aircraft supplemented by the smaller C-37A and later C-40 Clipper to replace the aging fleet of VC-137 aircraft. The first plane was delivered to the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland in late June 1998. Additional aircraft were acquired later.
= Equipment and capabilities =
The C-32As are painted in the blue and white livery, vertical stabilizer flag, and prominent "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" cheatline markings developed by Raymond Loewy at the behest of President Kennedy for use on Air Force One. The design is shared with most Special Air Mission aircraft. All of the C-32As are fitted with Pratt & Whitney PW2000 engines and are fitted with winglets for added fuel economy.
== Appearance upgrades ==
File:Secretary Blinken Prepares to Depart Joint Base Andrews on his First Trip as Secretary of State (51038279141).jpg aboard an upgraded C-32A in 2021]]
Throughout the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations, the interiors of the C-32As were slowly refitted with more luxurious accommodations, at a cost of $16 million per aircraft.{{Cite web|last=Rogoway|first=Tyler|date=August 23, 2018|title=USAF Upgrading Another C-32 'Air Force 2' Interior For $16M, Here's What The First Looks Like|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/23087/usaf-upgrading-another-c-32-air-force-2-interior-for-16m-heres-what-the-first-looks-like |access-date=2021-06-05|website=The Drive|language=en}} Officially, the work was requested by the Air Force, and is being completed by a division of Boeing at Air Force facilities in Oklahoma. The retrofit includes upgraded and refurbished interior elements throughout, new carpets, lighting, leather seats and wood tables in place of cloth and formica, a complete painting and cleaning, and the replacement of the double-seat configuration with a triple-seat configuration, aft of Door 3.{{Cite web|last=Weissgerber|first=Marcus|date=August 16, 2018|title=Pentagon Spending $34M to Make Presidential Jets More Posh|url=https://www.defenseone.com/business/2018/08/pentagon-spending-34m-make-presidential-jets-more-posh/150616/ |access-date=2021-08-07|website=Defense One|language=en}} The refit is controversial, with critics describing the spending as "posh" and "wasteful" and an effort to create "flying palaces", noting that the aircraft are well into the back half of their service lives. The War Zone observed that the spending appears to have little to do with the ability of the aircraft to accomplish its mission, noting that the C-32As have been continuously upgraded with improved communications, avionics, and countermeasures throughout their service lives without criticism.
=Operational history=
File:Boeing C-32A (757-2G4), USA - Air Force AN0781236.jpg
The four C-32As are operated by the 1st Airlift Squadron of the 89th Airlift Wing. They are available for use by the vice-president (using call sign Air Force Two), the first lady, and members of the Cabinet and Congress (using SAM callsigns). They are also used by the president (using call sign Air Force One) if the destination is too small to support the larger VC-25As or when they are unavailable.
The aircraft also occasionally serves as Air Force One in place of the larger VC-25A when the president is traveling to domestic destinations that cannot accommodate the larger Boeing 747-derived presidential plane or if the latter is simply unavailable,{{cite web|last1=Choquette|first1=Stefan|title=University Park Airport Ideal Destination for Slimmer Air Force One|url=https://onwardstate.com/2011/02/04/up-airport-ideal-destination-for-slimmer-air-force-one|access-date=5 February 2021|website=Onward State|date=February 4, 2011 }} or, as in President Joe Biden's February 2023 trip to Ukraine, to throw off would-be threats.{{cite web|last1=Miller|first1=Zeke|title=Sneaking a president from DC to Kyiv without anyone noticing
|url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-kyiv-politics-74c9de636c489393c86ad115e5cbcb48 |date=21 February 2023|website=Associated Press}}
== Incidents ==
File:President Trump Travels to Pennsylvania (50516529056).jpg
Several C-32As have suffered non-life-threatening equipment failures during VIP flight operations which lead to aircraft returning to Andrews Air Force Base prematurely. In 2018, First Lady Melania Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar were aboard a C-32A flying to Philadelphia when smoke filled the cabin shortly after takeoff. Journalists aboard reported being given wet towels to shield their faces from the smoke, and the flight returned to Andrews without further incident.{{Cite web|last1=Bennett|first1=Kate|last2=Cole|first2=Devan|date=October 17, 2018|title=Melania Trump's plane lands safely after 'mechanical issue'|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/17/politics/first-lady-plane-grounded/index.html |access-date=2021-08-07|website=CNN}} In 2021, Vice President Kamala Harris was aboard a C-32A en route to Guatemala when the aircraft was forced to make an emergency return to Andrews over an unspecified equipment failure which delayed the trip but left all passengers and crew unharmed.{{Cite web|last=Pawlyk|first=Oriana|date=2021-06-08|title=Vice President's Plane Malfunction Casts Light on Air Force C-32 Woes|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/06/08/vice-presidents-plane-malfunction-casts-light-air-force-c-32-woes.html |access-date=2021-08-07|website=Military.com|language=en}}
=Replacement=
File:Air Force One at MSP Airport (50238015382).jpg
The Trump administration included $6 million (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=6000000|start_year=2018}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) in its 2018 federal budget proposal to study replacements for the aging C-32A.{{cite web|last1=Weisgerber|first1=Marcus|title=Pentagon Wants to Get Started on New Air Force Two and Doomsday Planes|url=http://www.defenseone.com/business/2017/05/pentagon-wants-get-started-new-air-force-two-and-doomsday-planes/138269/ |access-date=24 August 2017|website=Defense One|date=May 30, 2017 }} In June 2021, Pentagon leaders in the Biden administration cut funding for the study from its fiscal 2022 budget request. Instead, the Air Force redirected the nominal amount of funding to research and development contracts for three American startup companies: Exosonic and Boom Supersonic, which are developing supersonic passenger jets; and Hermeus, which is developing a hypersonic passenger aircraft. Budget documents state the revised investment “will bolster evaluation and maturation of advanced high speed transport scale aircraft with potential to expand the defense industrial base and serve as C-32A replacements at the appropriate time.”{{Cite web |last=Weisgerber |first=Marcus |date=June 1, 2021 |title=Pentagon Shelves Plans for New Air Force Two |url=https://www.defenseone.com/business/2021/06/pentagon-shelves-plans-new-air-force-two/174434/ |access-date=2021-06-05 |website=Defense One |language=en}} All three programs are many years away from delivery of production aircraft.
File:P20210227AS-0572 (51013312242).jpg
The C-32A is not planned to leave Air Mobility Command service until 2040; however, discussion of the aircraft's age has continued, prompted by high-profile reliability issues.{{Cite web|last=Newdick|first=Thomas|date=June 3, 2021|title='Air Force Two' Replacement Dropped With Funds Redirected To Supersonic Transport Research|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40912/air-force-two-replacement-dropped-with-funds-redirected-to-supersonic-transport-research |access-date=2021-08-07|website=The Drive|language=en}} For the duration the C-32A will remain in the fleet, the Air Force will not pursue investment in the airframe beyond already planned modifications, according to the service's fiscal 2022 budget request. Boeing (the sole producer which can fulfill Buy American Act purchasing restrictions for government passenger aircraft) has neglected the middle of the market since the 757 was discontinued in 2004, repeatedly shelving upgrade plans since 2014.{{Cite news|last=Katz|first=Benjamin|date=2021-07-13|title=Airbus Soars Past Boeing by Showing Little Mercy to Struggling Customers|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/airbus-boeing-rivals-max-11626189853|access-date=2021-08-07|issn=0099-9660}} In 2021, the company announced a clean sheet restart of plans for a successor aircraft, slated to enter service in the late 2020s.{{Cite news|date=2020-01-22|title=Boeing's new CEO orders rethink on key jetliner project|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-boeing-737max-nma-idUKKBN1ZL31J|access-date=2021-11-16}}
C-32B Gatekeeper
=Role=
The 45-seat C-32B Gatekeeper{{Cite web|date=2014|title=Air National Guard 2014 Weapons System Modernization Priorities|url=https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/Joint-Staff/Personal-Staff/Legislative-Liaison/Important-Documents/FileId/60892/ |website=United States Air National Guard|page=ii}} provides airlift to the U.S. government's Gate Keeper (GK) mission, a special access program which provides clandestine support to foreign states through State Department Foreign Emergency Support Team missions and classified special operations and intelligence missions.{{Cite web|date=April 8, 2020|title=Air National Guard Military Vacancy Announcement|url=https://www.ang.af.mil/Portals/77/documents/careers/Officer-MVAs/2020-083%20Gate%20Keeper%20Air%20Operations%20%20Requirements%20Officer%20Maj%20AFSOC.pdf?ver=2020-04-08-225852-533|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720152641/https://www.ang.af.mil/Portals/77/documents/careers/Officer-MVAs/2020-083%20Gate%20Keeper%20Air%20Operations%20%20Requirements%20Officer%20Maj%20AFSOC.pdf?ver=2020-04-08-225852-533|archive-date=July 20, 2021|website=United States Air National Guard}}{{Cite book |last=Birtles |first=Philip |title=Airliner Color History: Boeing 757 |publisher=Zenith Press |date=June 1, 2001 |isbn=978-0760311233 |language=En |page=62}}{{cite web|title=Boeing C-32B - USAF Special Operations|url=http://www.americanspecialops.com/usaf-special-operations/aircraft/boeing-c-32b/|access-date=19 March 2021|website=www.americanspecialops.com}} The aircraft are operated by two different units, the New Jersey Air National Guard's 150th Special Operations Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and the 486th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.{{Cite web|title=COL. JOHN M. COSGROVE|url=https://www.108thwing.ang.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/1426149/col-john-m-cosgrove/|access-date=2021-07-20|website=United States Air National Guard|language=en-US|archive-date=July 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720155508/https://www.108thwing.ang.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/1426149/col-john-m-cosgrove/|url-status=dead}}{{cite book |author=United States General Accounting Office |title=Combating terrorism interagency framework and agency programs to address the overseas threat. |date=2003 |publisher=DIANE Publishing |isbn=978-1-4289-3944-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fxK_V93uXakC&pg=PA197 |page=197 |language=en}} The C-32Bs operate at the direction of the Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, though when serving a civilian agency, approval for the use of the aircraft is on the recommendation of the committee of Deputy Secretaries of Defense with the consent of the Secretary of Defense.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} The development of the two aircraft emerged from the 2001 Air Force budget, where they were procured for $144.963 million (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=144963000|start_year=2001}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) to fill an Air Force request for transportation capabilities for the Foreign and Domestic Emergency Support Teams. The Gate Keeper mission predates the aircraft, which are successors to previous fleets based on other models of aircraft. The planes have been spotted throughout the world, including such locations as Area 51 and the Tonopah Test Range.{{Cite web|last=Rogoway|first=Tyler|date=October 9, 2020|title=Secretive Tonopah Test Range Airport Had A Mysteriously Busy Week In September|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/36968/secretive-tonopah-test-range-airport-had-a-mysteriously-busy-week-in-september |access-date=2020-10-25|website=The Drive}} The C-32B became known during the George W. Bush administration for unsubstantiated theories which circulated that they were connected to the CIA's extraordinary rendition flights, giving them the onetime nickname “torture taxi.”{{Cite web|last=Rogoway|first=Tyler|date=May 19, 2011|title=Have you ever seen a 757 air to air refuel? YOU HAVE NOW!|url=http://aviationintel.com/have-you-ever-seen-a-757-air-to-air-refuel-you-have-now/|access-date=2021-07-16|website=Aviation Intel|language=en-US|archive-date=July 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717000842/http://aviationintel.com/have-you-ever-seen-a-757-air-to-air-refuel-you-have-now/|url-status=dead}}
= Equipment and capabilities =
File:C32-B_air_to_air_UARRSI.jpg, viewed from a KC-10]]
The C-32Bs serve as on-call global transport. They differ significantly from their VIP-carrying counterparts, outfitted with advanced communications and designed for ultra long-range capability. Most cargo must be stored in the rear of the aircraft as enlarged fuel tanks replace much of the below-deck cargo hold, extending the aircraft's unrefueled maximum range to {{convert|6000|nmi|mi km|lk=on|abbr=on}}. The craft also have an aerial refueling capability via an unmarked, unilluminated conformal Universal Aerial Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) located atop the fuselage, {{Convert|9|ft|m}} behind the cockpit windows, allowing the planes to remain airborne nearly indefinitely.{{Cite web|date=May 2008|title=Aerial Refueling - Fixed Wing Receivers - PART 5, ANNEX Z: National Annex - United States of America|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafiles/8161b63e_1143_ec82_2e937cbe224e97af.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081107032221/http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafiles/8161b63e_1143_ec82_2e937cbe224e97af.pdf|archive-date=November 7, 2008|website=British Royal Air Force}}{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2008|title=Foreign Emergency Support Team (FEST) Boeing C-32B (757-23A) at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ|url=https://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/foreign-emergency-support-team-fest-boeing-c-32b-757-23a/view/google/ |access-date=2020-10-25|website=Virtual Globetrotting|language=en}} The aircraft are also fitted with an airstair allowing passengers to deplane without access to a jet bridge or stair truck, a heavy and uncommon modification in modern commercial aviation.{{Cite web|last=Jacobson|first=James A.|author-link=James A. Jacobson|date=July 27, 2020|title=Air Force Manual 11-2C-32B Volume 2|url=https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a3/publication/afman11-2c-32bv2/afman11-2c-32bv2.pdf# |website=United States Air Force|pages=41–42}}{{Cite web|title=Boeing 757 Integral Airstairs - Airliners.net|url=https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=749305|access-date=2021-06-05|website=www.airliners.net}} For additional support in austere environments, the aircraft are also fitted with a winch-based baggage loading system, designed to load baggage at airfields that do not have adequate material handling equipment available.{{Cite book|last=Kelly|first=Mark D.|url=https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a3/publication/afman11-2c-32bv3/afman11-2c-32bv3.pdf|title=Air Force Manual 11-2C-32B|publisher=United States Air Force|year=2020|pages=85|author-link=Mark D. Kelly}}
In 2014, the C-32Bs received audio and visual equipment upgrades, in addition to installation of upgraded satellite communications systems and secure Ku bandwidth communications management systems to replace commercial-grade Inmarsat installations, in use since 2002. Around the same time, the craft acquired an additional protruding fairing on the roof of the rear of the craft.{{Cite web|title=Foreign Emergency Support Team (FEST)|url=https://www.state.gov/foreign-emergency-support-team/|access-date=2021-06-11|website=United States Department of State|language=en}} Similar modifications have appeared on the C-32As, the presidential VC-25As, the E-4B and E-6 “doomsday planes”, and the E-11A BACN.{{Cite web|last=Rogoway|first=Tyler|date=May 22, 2017|title="Air Force One" Jet Reemerges With Upgraded Communications For World Trip|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/10470/air-force-one-jet-reemerges-with-upgraded-communications-for-world-trip |access-date=2021-06-11|website=The Drive|language=en}} The protrusion reportedly houses Northrop Grumman’s Multi-Role Tactical Common Data Link (MR-TCDL), a Ka and Ku band telecommunications suite designed for war zones but which has proved to be just as relevant over a disaster zone as a battlefield. The system functions as a flying wireless router and server, providing communications where traditional communications infrastructure is unavailable. Budget requests show that around 2016 the cockpit avionics were upgraded to include head up displays.{{Cite web|date=2016|title=Weapons Systems Modernization Priorities 2016|url=https://www.ang.af.mil/Portals/77/documents/ang_priorities_books/AFD-160404-028.pdf |website=United States Air National Guard}} Depot level maintenance on the C-32B is performed by Big Safari (the 645th Aeronautical Systems Squadron).{{Cite book|last=Kelly|first=Mark D.|url=https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a3/publication/afman11-2c-32bv3/afman11-2c-32bv3.pdf|title=Air Force Manual 11-2C-32B|publisher=United States Air Force|year=2020|pages=17|author-link=Mark D. Kelly}}
According to Air Force Manual 11-2C-32B (2020), at least two members of the C-32B aircrew are always armed.
=Airframes=
File:FEST board C-32 for Beirut.webp boarding a C-32B to respond to the 2020 Beirut explosion]]
There are two C-32B aircraft as of 2021: 00-9001 and 02-4452.{{Cite web|date=2021|title=Air National Guard Priorities Mod Book 2021|url=https://www.ang.af.mil/Portals/77/documents/ang_priorities_books/2021%20Mod%20Book.pdf?ver=gl9iF62lvZpJEDJH5NIhlA%3d%3d |website=United States Air National Guard|page=66}}{{Cite web|last=Air Force|first=U.S.|date=February 1, 2000|title=USAF Committee Staff Procurement Backup Book FY 2001 Amended Budget Request|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/budget/fy2001/usaf/acprocvol1.pdf |website=Global Security}} At times the Air National Guard has appeared to deny the existence of one of the two aircraft. The 2012 edition of the National Guard's Weapons System Modernization Priorities report states "the 150th Special Operations Squadron of the New Jersey Air National Guard operates the C-32B from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ and is the only U.S Air Force C-32B", while all prior and successive editions describe a need to support upgrades to two aircraft.{{Cite web|date=2012|title=FY 2012 Budget Justification: Volume One, Operation and Maintainence|url=https://comptroller.defense.gov/defbudget/fy2012/budget_justification/pdfs/01_Operation_and_Maintenance/O_M_VOL_1_PARTS/O_M_VOL_1_BASE_PARTS/SOCOM_OP-5 |website=Comptroller of the U.S. Department of Defense}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Both planes are painted gloss white, and lack any recognizable external markings other than serial numbers, although they have been spotted with "United States Air Force" emblazoned on the cheatline and the Air Force roundel on the tail section of the fuselage at times,{{Cite web|last=Ferro|first=Daniel|date=January 1, 2020|title=C32B Rota Spain|url=https://twitter.com/gibdan1/status/1212474385426272256 |access-date=2020-10-26|website=Twitter|language=en}} and solely a small American flag on the same area of the rear fuselage at other times.{{Cite web|last=Fisherbray|date=February 10, 2015|title=Boeing C32B|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/fisherbray/16504024556 }} There are only two identified visual differences between the two aircraft: one has larger emergency ramp openings under the doorsills, and one has the rearward window removed from the forward bank of windows on the starboard side.{{Citation|last=dcspotter|title=02-5001 - Spot the difference vs the next photo|date=2018-09-30|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/dcspotter/43199284150/|access-date=2021-11-25}} Both planes are known for adopting a range of different serial numbers on a regular basis to confuse their activities and identities. Numbers appearing on the aircraft in the past have included: 00-9001,{{Cite web|last=De Jong|first=Peter|date=August 24, 2016|title=Aircraft Photo of 00-9001 / 09001|url=https://www.airhistory.net/photo/35589/00-9001/09001 |access-date=2021-06-21|website=AirHistory.net|language=en}} 98-6006,{{Cite web|last=Lofting|first=Chris|date=August 26, 2017|title=Aircraft Photo of 98-6006 / 86006|url=https://www.airhistory.net/photo/310831/98-6006/86006 |access-date=2021-06-21|website=AirHistory.net|language=en}} 99-6143,{{Citation|last=CanAmJetz|title=99-6143 Boeing C-32B 25491 EHAM|date=2019-05-03|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/146108410@N07/32840632657/|access-date=2021-06-21}} 02-5001,{{Cite web|last=Plomitzer|first=Gerhard|date=November 10, 2018|title=Aircraft Photo of 02-5001 / 25001|url=https://www.airhistory.net/photo/255744/02-5001/25001 |access-date=2021-06-21|website=AirHistory.net|language=en}} and 02-4452.{{Cite web|last=De Jong|first=Peter|date=June 3, 2005|title=Aircraft Photo of 02-4452 / 24452|url=https://www.airhistory.net/photo/121911/02-4452/24452 |access-date=2021-06-21|website=AirHistory.net|language=en}}
File:Boeing C-32B, United States - US Air Force (USAF) JP6248406.jpg
The true identity of the older of the two aircraft is MSN 25493/523 (02-4452), originally delivered to Ansett Worldwide as N59AW on 26 February 1993, it saw service with ATA airlines as 84WA before shuffling through private brokers, and ultimately being sold to the Air Force by Kodiak Associates LLC in 2000.{{cite web|title=Registration Details For N84WA (Kodiak Associates LLC) 757-23A|url=http://www.planelogger.com/Aircraft/Registration/N84WA/531037?seo=757-23A_Kodiak%20Associates%20LLC|website=PlaneLogger}}{{Cite web|title=US Air Force 02-4452 (Boeing 757 - MSN 25493) (Ex N312SF N512AT N59AW N757AV N84WA ) {{!}} Airfleets aviation|url=https://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b757-25493.htm|access-date=2021-06-21|website=www.airfleets.net}} The later aircraft is MSN 25494/611 (00-9001), delivered to Avianca as N987AN on April 22, 1994,{{Cite web|title=US Air Force 00-9001 (Boeing 757 - MSN 25494) (Ex N987AN ) {{!}} Airfleets aviation|url=https://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b757-25494.htm|access-date=2021-06-21|website=www.airfleets.net}}{{Cite web|last=Plomitzer|first=Gerhard|date=June 30, 2020|title=02-5001 {{!}} Boeing C-32B|url=https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9769328 |access-date=2021-06-21|website=JetPhotos|language=en}} it passed through the hands of Raytheon E-Systems before Air Force purchase in 2001.{{cite web|title=Registration Details For N987AN (Avianca) 757-23A|url=http://www.planelogger.com/Aircraft/Registration/N987AN/531039?seo=757-23A_Avianca|website=PlaneLogger}} Both aircraft are powered by Rolls-Royce RB211 engines, rather than the Pratt & Whitney PW2000 used on the C-32A.
Sparsely marked secretive white 757s often conflated with the C-32B include N226G and N610G, a pair of 757s operated by L3Harris subsidiary L-3 Capital.{{Cite web|date=2012-01-12|title=N610G COMCO|url=https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/n610g-comco/873/17|access-date=2021-11-25|website=FlightAware Discussions|language=en}} The aircraft have been observed operating with various tail numbers, and previously featured the text "COMCO" in prominent black lettering on the tail, later replaced by a conservative blue swoosh design.{{Cite web|title=What Is Comco? - Airliners.net|url=https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=369809|access-date=2021-07-17|website=www.airliners.net}}{{Citation|last=Jim|title=N226G|date=2017-10-20|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/154446353@N02/38075341851/|access-date=2021-11-25}} The near identical equipment of the so-called COMCO aircraft, including airstair,{{Cite web|title=Aviation Photo #1011900: Boeing 757-23A - Comco|url=https://www.airliners.net/photo/Comco/Boeing-757-23A/1011900|access-date=2021-11-25|website=Airliners.net}} Rolls-Royce engines,{{Cite web|last=Noordenne|first=Marcel van|title=25491 – MvN's Boeing 757 Website|date=May 17, 2015 |url=https://www.b757.info/25491/|access-date=2021-11-25|language=en-US}} roof communications fairing, and an unexplained rectangular modification applied to the fuselage of both aircraft{{Citation|last=planephotoman|title=What's This?|date=2008-06-16|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/planephotoman/2585885652/|access-date=2021-11-25}} have fueled rumors that they are in fact C-32Bs with hasty paint or decals applied, however such claims have never been substantiated.{{Cite web|title=USAF C32B/B757-200 96143 - FighterControl|url=https://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=136002|access-date=2021-11-25|website=www.fightercontrol.co.uk}} Other similar aircraft include N119NA and N874TW, a pair of 757s based at Richmond International Airport, acquired by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2015 displaying an American flag on their tail and are distinguished from the C-32B by their winglets.
Operators
;{{Multiple image
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| caption3 = Insignia of the respective C-32 operators
}}{{USA}}
- C-32A
- United States Air Force
- 89th Airlift Wing
- 1st Airlift Squadron – Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
- C-32B
- United States Air Force
- 96th Test Wing
- 486th Flight Test Squadron – Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
- New Jersey Air National Guard
- 108th Wing
- 150th Special Operations Squadron – Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst, New Jersey{{cite web|title=108th Wing Fact Sheet|url=https://www.108thwing.ang.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/864202/108th-wing-fact-sheet/|website=U.S. Air Force}}{{Cite web|last=Moriarty|first=Rick|date=2016-08-04|title=Mysterious plane that visited Syracuse is part of secretive military unit|url=https://www.newyorkupstate.com/central-ny/2016/08/mysterious_plane_at.html |access-date=2021-06-08|website=NYupstate|language=en}}
Specifications
= C-32A =
{{Aircraft specs|ref=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2003-04,{{cite book |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2003-04 |editor1-last=Jackson |editor1-first=Paul |year=2003 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Coulsdon, Surrey, United Kingdom |isbn=0-7106-2537-5 |edition=94th |pages=569–571}} USAF Museum factsheet|ferry range nmi=|max speed mach=0.86 (MMO)
- Cruising speed: Mach 0.8
- Approach speed: {{cvt|137|kn|mph km/h|0}}
- Initial cruising height: {{cvt|35400|ft|0}}|cruise speed kts=|cruise speed note=|stall speed kts=|stall speed note=|never exceed speed kts=|never exceed speed note=|minimum control speed kts=|minimum control speed note=|range nmi=5650|range note=|ferry range note=|max speed kts=526|endurance=|ceiling ft=42000|ceiling note=|climb rate ftmin=|climb rate note=|time to altitude=|wing loading lb/sqft=127.88|wing loading note=|fuel consumption lb/mi=|thrust/weight=0.314|more performance=
- Take-off field length: {{cvt|7800|ft|0}} at sea level {{cvt|29|C|F|0}}
- Landing field length: {{cvt|5100|ft|0}} at MLW|max speed note=|eng1 lbf=40100
|prime units?=kts
|wing area sqft=185.25|crew=2 + 1 jump seat + 13 mission crew|capacity=45|length ft=155|length in=3|length note=|span ft=124|span in=10|span note=|height ft=44|height in=3|height note=at MTOW|wing area note=|eng1 type=turbofan engines|aspect ratio=|airfoil=|empty weight lb=128730|empty weight note=OWE
- Maximum zero-fuel weight: {{cvt|186000|lb|0}} MZFW|gross weight lb=|gross weight note=|max takeoff weight lb=256000|max takeoff weight note=MTOW
- Maximum landing weight: {{cvt|210000|lb|0}} MLW|fuel capacity={{cvt|13334|USgal|impgal l|0}} with auxiliary tanks in fwd and aft cargo holds|more general=
|eng1 number=2|eng1 name=Pratt & Whitney PW2000-40{{cite web |title=PW2000 - Pratt & Whitney |url=https://prattwhitney.com/products-and-services/products/commercial-engines/pw2000 |access-date=21 October 2020}}}}
= C-32B =
{{Aircraft specs|ref=Air Force Manual 11-2C-32B, Volume 3 (2020){{Cite web|last=Jacobson|first=James A.|author-link=James A. Jacobson|date=July 27, 2020|title=Air Force Manual 11-2C-32B, Volume 3|url=https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a3/publication/afman11-2c-32bv3/afman11-2c-32bv3.pdf# |website=United States Air Force}}|ferry range nmi=|max speed mach=0.86 (MMO)
- Cruising speed: Mach 0.8
- Approach speed: {{cvt|137|kn|mph km/h|0}}
- Initial cruising height: {{cvt|35400|ft|0}}|cruise speed kts=|cruise speed note=|stall speed kts=|stall speed note=|never exceed speed kts=|never exceed speed note=|minimum control speed kts=|minimum control speed note=|range nmi=|range note=|ferry range note=|max speed kts=526|endurance=|ceiling ft=42000|ceiling note=|climb rate ftmin=|climb rate note=|time to altitude=|wing loading lb/sqft=127.88|wing loading note=|fuel consumption lb/mi=|thrust/weight=0.314|more performance=
- Take-off field length: {{cvt|5000|ft|0}} at sea level {{cvt|29|C|F|0}}
- Landing field length: {{cvt|5000|ft|0}} at MLW|max speed note=|eng1 lbf=40100
|prime units?=kts
|wing area sqft=185.25|crew=2 + 1 jump seat + mission crew|capacity=unknown|length ft=155|length in=3|length note=|span ft=124|span in=10|span note=|height ft=44|height in=3|height note=at MTOW|wing area note=|eng1 type=turbofan engines|aspect ratio=|airfoil=|empty weight lb=|empty weight note=
- Maximum zero-fuel weight: {{cvt|186000|lb|0}} MZFW|gross weight lb=|gross weight note=|max takeoff weight lb=256000|max takeoff weight note=MTOW
- Maximum landing weight: {{cvt|210000|lb|0}} MLW|fuel capacity=unknown, with auxiliary tanks and aerial refueling capabilities|more general=
|eng1 number=2|eng1 name=Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4
}}
See also
{{aircontent
|see also=
- Douglas C-32 (Military designation for DC-2 in older naming system)
|related=
|similar aircraft=
|lists=
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Boeing C-32}}
- [https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104518/c-32/ U.S. Air Force C-32 factsheet]. US Air Force, 12 May 2015.
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0XVjOG7Ebg Footage of a C-32B being refueled in flight]
{{Boeing 757/767 family}}
{{Boeing support aircraft}}
{{Boeing model numbers}}
{{US transport aircraft}}
{{U.S. presidential call signs}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boeing C-32}}
Category:1990s United States military transport aircraft