President Trump has ordered a new paint scheme for the U.S. Air Force presidential and VIP fleet, replacing the light blue design that has been in place since the Kennedy administration. The change will apply to Air Force One and other executive aircraft.
As reported by CBS News, the updated design features dark navy blue, deep red, and gold. The new colors will appear on the two Boeing 747s being converted into the next generation of Air Force One, a 747-8i jet donated by Qatar, and the smaller C-32 aircraft that serves as Air Force Two when the vice president is aboard.
Trump previously unveiled a model of the redesigned aircraft during his first term, but the proposed paint scheme for the VC-25Bs was later scrapped under President Joe Biden. The current order revives that earlier vision and formally directs the fleet to adopt the revised color palette.
The repaint marks a visible break from the Kennedy-era design
The repaint will be carried out during scheduled maintenance and repair cycles to avoid additional downtime. The move comes amid Fed chair pick plan drawing attention in Washington. L3 Harris is upgrading the C-32 aircraft at its facility in Greenville, Texas, and those planes are receiving the new colors as part of that process.
The first repainted C-32 has already been completed and is expected to be delivered to the Air Force in the coming months. The updated look will gradually roll out across the fleet as additional aircraft rotate through maintenance.
Boeing continues work on the next generation of Air Force One aircraft under a contract signed in 2018. The order also arrives as Trump’s pardon power limits remain under discussion. The Qatar-donated 747-8i is also undergoing refurbishment and is expected to be ready for presidential use no later than this summer.
Published: Feb 17, 2026 06:15 pm