Newly Repainted Boeing 737 MAX 8 BBJ Linked to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Operations
Photo: David Lee
update December 19 2025: The aircraft N471US was trackable on Flightradar24 untill it landed at Abu Dhabi. However the return flight was not trackable anymore as the aircraft was LADD-listed. LADD (Limiting Aircraft Data Displayed) is an FAA program letting aircraft owners block their tail numbers from public flight tracking sites like Flightradar24 for privacy/security.
Sites as ADSBexchange are still showing the movements. The ICAO hex id is #A5C6A4 and can be tracked here.
A Boeing 737 MAX 8 BBJ aircraft registered N471US was photographed in mid-December 2025 wearing a new livery, prompting questions about its ownership and operational role. According to the FAA registry, the aircraft is registered to Valkyrie Aviation Holdings Group LLC. However, a seal visible inside the cabin indicates that the aircraft is operated for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rather than for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Photo: David Lee
DHS oversees both Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection, the two agencies spearheading the Trump administration’s mass deportation policy. The aircraft’s Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) is 61329, and it could be operating directly for DHS.
The Department of Homeland Security has signed a nearly $140 million contract to purchase six Boeing 737 aircraft for deportation operations. The contract, signed with the Virginia-based firm Daedalus Aviation, was first reported by The Washington Post on Wednesday and later confirmed by DHS.
The acquisition of this exceptionally luxuriously outfitted aircraft is certain to reignite an earlier debate about aircraft for the Coast Guard. In October, The New York Times reported that the department had since signed a contract with Gulfstream to purchase not one, but two “used” G700 jets.
The Department of Homeland Security has purchased two Gulfstream private jets for Kristi Noem, the secretary, and other top department officials at a cost of $172 million, according to documents reviewed by The New York Times.
The jets, which a department official said were needed for safety, are the latest expenditures on behalf of Ms. Noem to draw scrutiny from Democrats and other critics who have noted her lavish spending on living and other expenses during her time in public life.
That the highly luxurious Boeing 737 BBJ is indeed being used by Kristi Noem and senior leadership of the Department of Homeland Security is underscored by the fact that Noem was in Amman at the same time as the aircraft. According to media reports, the purpose of her visit was to enhance cooperation between Jordan and the United States. During the visit, Jordan joined the Global Entry programme, which is designed to expedite entry procedures to the United States for enrolled travellers holding visas or permanent residence permits. Jordanian authorities noted that the move reflects the depth of Jordan–US relations.
On 16 December, the BBJ flew with Noem from Amman to Abu Dhabi, before continuing on to Qatar. In Qatar as well, discussions focused on security and cooperation. Both sides reviewed avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the security domain and for exchanging expertise, while also discussing several issues of mutual interest, in support of joint efforts to maintain security and promote regional stability.
The photograph showing the aircraft’s new appearance was taken by david_kcdcspotter and published on X as well as on Instagram.
The livery on this Boeing 737 is being seen on a U.S. government aircraft for the first time. The color scheme is virtually identical to the design unveiled by President Donald Trump for the new Air Force One.
On September 23 2025, the aircraft flew from Dallas to Ardmore for delivery as N702F. At that time, N702F was owned by Fertitta Enterprises and had been withdrawn from use on September 5, 2025. Fertitta Enterprises is a U.S.-based privately held conglomerate controlled by the Fertitta family. The group has major interests in hospitality, gaming, and entertainment, including restaurants, hotels, and casinos, and is closely associated with billionaire Tilman J. Fertitta, who serves as chairman and chief executive. Through its diverse portfolio, Fertitta Enterprises plays a significant role in the American leisure and tourism sector.
As of December 2025, Tilman J. Fertitta is serving as the United States Ambassador to Italy and San Marino, a position he has held since May 6, 2025 after confirmation by the U.S. Senate. In this diplomatic role, he represents U.S. interests in both countries.
The aircraft was sold by Avjet Global. According to Avjet’s website (archive), the Boeing 737 MAX 8 BBJ had accumulated only 672 flight hours and 154 landings at the time of sale. The interior is configured with 17 seats and two queen beds, suggesting that, very likely, no interior modifications were made after the aircraft was purchased by DHS.
The sales brochure shows, among other things, the aircraft’s layout as illustrated below.
The four photographs below show the interior at the time the aircraft was offered for sale. Visible are both bedrooms and the master shower. More photos can be seen here.
After the aircraft was purchased, the registration was changed to N471US.
The aircraft remained at Ardmore Airport, where King Aerospace Commercial Corp. is located. On October 30, it flew from Ardmore to Lake Charles, where it stayed for three weeks before returning to Ardmore. On December 10, the aircraft conducted training flights at Ardmore. It is likely that the repainting was carried out at Lake Charles, where the same company previously repainted the Department of Justice Boeing 757, registration N911NA.
The official operator of the aircraft is Valkyrie Aviation Holdings Group. Valkyrie also reserved, on October 27, 2025, a range of registrations from N473US through N479US. This series of registrations could be used for future Boeing 737 aircraft that will operate deportation flights for ICE.
The first trip of the aircraft
The first trip of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 BBJ under its new role began on December 14, when the aircraft departed Washington DCA and landed at Chania, on the island of Crete in Greece, an airport that also serves as a U.S. military base. After a stop of just two hours, the aircraft departed for Amman, Jordan. The flight was accompanied by a United States Coast Guard C-37B, registration 002, which flew the same route and arrived at Chania approximately 30 minutes before the BBJ. After a stop of around two hours, the Coast Guard aircraft also departed for Amman in Jordan.
Both aircraft can be seen here on the ADSBexchange map. The Coast Guard C-32B appears first (purple) , followed later by the departure of the Boeing 737 BBJ.
After the visit to Amman, Kristi Noem and leadership of DHS continued to Abu Dhabi. At December 18 both aircraft departed to Shannon for a fuel stop. In the meanwhile the Boeing 737 BBJ was not trackable anymore.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem frequently travels aboard the Coast Guard aircraft, as shown in an official DHS photograph. United States Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Since 2003, following the creation of DHS, the Coast Guard has been transferred from the Department of Transportation to DHS. It is unique among the U.S. armed services because it has both military and law-enforcement roles.
