U.S. Air Force Repaints Executive Fleet in New Colors

The U.S. Air Force has begun repainting its executive airlift fleet, including the aircraft that serve as Air Force One, in a new color scheme of red, white, dark blue, and gold, officials confirmed this week. The change, directed by President Donald Trump, marks the first major redesign in more than 60 years and applies to the fleet's upcoming and existing planes, with work already underway at contractor facilities across the country.

The new palette replaces the light blue and white livery that has defined the presidential aircraft since the John F. Kennedy administration. That design, created by industrial designer Raymond Loewy, became an iconic symbol of the U.S. presidency. The shift to bolder colors fulfills a vision Trump first proposed during his initial term in office. "Air Force One is going to be incredible," Trump said in 2018. "It's going to be the top of the line, the top in the world. And it's going to be red, white and blue, which I think is appropriate." Last summer, he added, "We're painting it red, white and blue like the American flag, which is incredible."

The redesign will first appear on four C-32 aircraft, military versions of the Boeing 757 used to...