The Boeing 757 is a large, capable narrowbody with excellent performance, which means that it is exceptionally versatile. The type can serve most small airports, regardless of runway length, while still possessing a long range. This has helped continue the aging twinjet’s viability for some operators today, while it’s made the aircraft appealing as a VIP transport for governments and militaries. This includes the United States Air Force, which is the only military operator of the Boeing 757 worldwide.

The United States is not the only nation to use the Boeing 757 for government-related missions (Saudi Arabia and Argentina also use 757s as VIP transport). However, the US is unique in that its 757s are directly part of the fleet of the United States Air Force, with various modifications made to serve with the US military. In addition, the 757 is used in other roles beyond just VIP transport. This is an overview of the Boeing 757 fleet in the US military, including how many are in service and how they’re used.

The United States Air Force’s 757 Fleet

Technically, the United States Air Force’s 757s are dubbed the Boeing C-32. In practice, these aircraft are Boeing 757-200s that feature modifications to suit their respective missions. The USAF initially entered into an agreement with Boeing to lease four 757-200s with the option to buy (which ended up being exercised). The C-32s were built on the same production line as the commercial Boeing 757, and were modified with military systems before entering service with the USAF.

The first four Boeing C-32s, registered as 98-0001, 98-0002, 99-0003, and 99-0004, were delivered beginning in 1998. Primarily, the purpose of the first four C-32s, designated as C-32As, was to replace the USAF’s fleet of Boeing C-137B and C-137C fleets, which had been in service for decades. These aircraft are equipped with the Pratt & Whitney PW2040 and feature a 116-ton Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) along with auxiliary fuel tanks, which gives the C-32 a range of 5,650 NM (10,460 km).

Beginning in the 2000s, the USAF would acquire a total of four Boeing 757-200s second-hand that were formerly operated by Air Transat, ATA Airlines, and avianca. These aircraft, registered as 99-6143, 00-9001, 02-4452, and 02-5001, are powered by the Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4 and were modified by Raytheon to become Boeing C-32Bs, although only two are currently operational. Later, the USAF acquired another four PW2000-powered Boeing 757-200s second-hand to expand the C-32A fleet to eight. With the two operational C-32Bs and the eight C-32As, this makes 10 Boeing 757s in military service worldwide.

Examining The Boeing C-32A Fleet

The Boeing C-32A is often known as « Air Force Two« , as in the aircraft that carries the Vice President of the United States. Similar to Air Force One, Air Force Two is the callsign used for any United States Air Force aircraft carrying the vice president. The C-32A is the aircraft that most commonly serves as Air Force Two, although it is often used to transport other high-ranking government officials. In addition, the US president often uses the Boeing C-32A when the 747-based VC-25A is unavailable or impractical for a given mission, and the aircraft then flies as Air Force One.

All eight Boeing C-32As are operated by the 1st Airlift Squadron, part of the 89th Airlift Wing, 89th Operations Group, at Andrews Air Force Base. This is a squadron dedicated to transporting high-ranking government and military officials, including the US president and vice president, combat commanders, the chief of staff of the Air Force, as well as other senior leaders. The group is also responsible for the operation of the Boeing C-40 Clipper and the Gulfstream C-37 fleets.

As part of the 1st Airlift Squadron, the C-32As feature the iconic Raymond Loewry-designed livery also worn by the Boeing VC-25A. The original four C-32As (98-0001, 98-0002, 99-0003, and 99-0004) were purchased new from Boeing, while the rest of the C-32A fleet was acquired second-hand in the late 2000s and early 2010s. These aircraft, 09-0015, 09-0016, 09-0017, and 19-0018, were originally operated by Aeromexico, American Airlines, Far Eastern Air Transport, and Finnair, and all feature the PW2000-40. In addition, all eight C-32As have been retrofitted with winglets.

Examining The Boeing C-32B Fleet

Unlike the recognizable C-32As that transport VIPs, the Boeing C-32B Gatekeeper is meant to be discreet. They operate under the US government’s Gate Keeper program, which provides clandestine support to foreign nations through foreign support missions, as well as classified operations and intelligence missions. There are two Boeing C-32B Gatekeepers in service, which feature a generic white livery that currently does not display any registration. These aircraft can also be distinguished by their Rolls-Royce engines and lack of winglets.

The two C-32Bs are operated by the 486th Flight Test Squadron, part of the USAF’s 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, and the 150th Special Operations Squadron, part of the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 108th Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. While the C-32B’s existence is known, little else is known about the specifics of the missions that it operates, as many of them are classified.

The Boeing C-32B Gatekeeper is even more capable than the C-32A. The C-32B features larger auxiliary fuel tanks to extend its range to 6,000 NM (11,000 km), and the C-32B is also capable of aerial refueling. The aircraft features integrated airstairs, which are extremely uncommon on a Boeing 757. In addition, the C-32B features advanced communication systems and upgraded avionics compared to the C-32A or commercial 757. As such, the C-32Bs are undoubtedly the world’s most advanced Boeing 757s.

Recent Usage Of The Boeing C-32 Fleet

The Boeing C-32B is one of the more secretive aircraft operated by the United States Air Force. While they’re photographed occasionally and the USAF usually acknowledges their existence, their missions are often classified. These aircraft are often used for operations related to terrorism, and their existence became widely known during the War on Terror.

The C-32As are the more common C-32 variant, and they’re used nearly as often as the iconic Boeing VC-25A. Typically, the C-32As fly important government and military officials as directed by the White House. Most prominently, the C-32As are available for the US vice president, operating under the Air Force Two callsign. However, the C-32As are also used by the US president as Air Force One, in the event that the VC-25A becomes unavailable or impractical. Given how much smaller the C-32A is compared to the VC-25A, this occurs more often than you’d realize.

The C-32A is the default aircraft for whenever the US president travels to smaller airports, given that the C-32A is a narrowbody aircraft that can take off from 5,000-foot runways. In 2023, then-President Joe Biden secretly flew to Ukraine, and part of his trip involved using a C-32A. More recently, in January 2026, current President Donald Trump was traveling to Switzerland when the VC-25A operating as Air Force One experienced electrical issues, prompting a diversion. Trump ended up making the trip on a C-32A.

The Long-Term Viability Of The Boeing C-32

The Boeing C-32s are all over 25 years old, and they’re based on an airframe that debuted in 1983. The Boeing 757 is also slowly disappearing from airline service, which will reduce parts supply and increase maintenance costs. This will be exacerbated by the small size of the C-32 fleet. Despite the challenges of operating these aging aircraft, the USAF plans to operate the C-32 until 2040, with recent upgrades to the plane’s technology and interior ensuring its viability.

The USAF is actively exploring a replacement for the C-32 fleet, although no contracts have been awarded. Currently, the Air Force is looking for its new aircraft to simultaneously replace the Boeing C-32 and the C-40, based on the Boeing 737-700 but with the wings and landing gear of the 737-800. The USAF is believed to be leaning towards a variant of the Boeing 737 MAX 9, tentatively named the C-40D Clipper. This aircraft lacks the field performance of either the 737-700 or the 757-200, but could likely replicate the C-32’s range and is nearly the same size.

The USAF has yet to award a contract for the replacement for the C-32 and C-40, but the 737 MAX is almost guaranteed to be the platform on which this replacement will be based, seeing as how Boeing is the only American manufacturer producing large aircraft. The C-32 fleet is intended to remain in service until 2040, so it’s likely that this contract will be determined with this date in mind.