"The VC-25B Bridge aircraft has been painted and is going through final modifications," an Air Force spokesperson told TWZ.
VC-25B Bridge: painted in the red, white, and blue preferred by President Trump
A modified Boeing 747-8i, designated the VC-25B "Bridge" aircraft, is now wearing a red, white, and blue livery that mirrors the scheme President Donald Trump preferred for future VC-25B Air Force Ones. Aviation photographer Travis Ghormley shared the first picture of the painted jet; the photo was released yesterday and was taken the day before in Waco, Texas. The paint includes a large American flag depicted blowing in the wind on both sides of the tail and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" written on both sides of the fuselage. TWZ confirmed the completed contractor-side modifications referenced in the Air Force's May 1 statement, but the U.S. government still has additional modifications to make to the jet.
L3Harris and Boeing: who did what in the conversion
The VC-25B Bridge underwent modification and flight testing at L3Harris' facility in Greenville, Texas, since at least April before moving to Waco for painting. The Air Force said L3Harris was selected to "undertake a complex modification of the bridge aircraft" and highlighted the contractor's experience in executive communications, self-protection, and VIP customizations. Boeing provided engineering data to support required structural modifications, a contribution the Air Force credited with enabling an accelerated timeline.
Operational tradeoffs: safety, security, and fewer aesthetic changes
According to the Air Force, safety and security drove the Bridge program's prioritization. The service said it "deliberately minimized interior aesthetic modifications to focus on modifications for safety, security and mission execution" and prioritized mission communications systems after those considerations. Specific tradeoffs the Air Force cited include a reduction in the number of airstairs, less chiller space, and the exclusion of the Golden Eagle mission — the program to fly the remains of former presidents — to minimize structural modifications while focusing on security and secure communications.
Flight tracking, Crane 01, and the Bridge's uncertain location
Social media video purported to show the painted VC-25B departing for Andrews Air Force Base circulated yesterday, but public tracking data complicates that claim. Online flight tracking recorded a U.S. military Boeing 747-8i flying from Waco to Andrews on June 7 using the callsign Crane 01. TWZ notes that Crane 01 has been associated with an ex-Lufthansa 747 the Air Force acquired as a trainer; that aircraft may now carry serial number 25-3200 and has been tracked multiple times between Texas facilities and Andrews in recent months. There does not appear to be ADS-B tracking data for the VC-25B Bridge jet— which may now have serial number 25-3300 — though it is possible the Bridge made any move without broadcasting on ADS-B.
What this means for the White House, the Air Force, and L3Harris
- For the White House: The Bridge aircraft is positioned to serve as an interim Air Force One ahead of two fully outfitted VC-25Bs from Boeing; public-debut timing has been suggested for July 4, aligning with national celebrations, though the Air Force has not confirmed delivery dates.
- For the Air Force: The service faces the practical task of completing government-side modifications after contractor work finished, while managing operational-security concerns the program itself acknowledges and publicly addresses.
- For L3Harris (and Boeing): The firms established a visible role in producing an "accelerated" interim capability—L3Harris for communications, protection, and customization work, and Boeing for engineering data—while the Air Force touts the work as having "written the book" for integrating used airframes into secure military inventory.
What can be stated with confidence from the record is straightforward: the donated VC-25B Bridge aircraft has been repainted in the red, white, and blue livery associated with President Trump, contractor modifications have been completed, and the Air Force says the jet is going through final modifications on the government side. The date and location of official delivery remain unannounced, tracking data leaves the jet's current location unclear, and prior reporting has flagged questions about the operational feasibility and security implications of using the gifted jet as a presidential transport. Whether the Bridge will make a public debut on July 4 or begin operational duty before the two Boeing VC-25Bs arrive remains an open, verifiable fact to be resolved by forthcoming Air Force announcements.
