The White House is retaining and repurposing a B737-8(BBJ) previously operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, according to officials familiar with the matter quoted by The Wall Street Journal. The aircraft is now under White House control and is being used for VIP government transport, including select cabinet travel and first lady duties.

The 2018-built B737-8(BBJ), N471US (msn 61329), entered service in late 2025 under a DHS lease arrangement during the tenure of former homeland security secretary Kristi Noem, a deal that later drew scrutiny following reported personal use by Noem and then-chief of staff Corey Lewandowski.

Noem, who was ousted in March and succeeded by Markwayne Mullin, had intended to acquire the aircraft, with plans reportedly including high-profile deportation operations alongside cabinet-level transport. ICE officials involved in the process believed those plans had been abandoned before the White House ultimately proceeded with the acquisition.

“ICE purchased this aircraft before Secretary Mullin was confirmed,” a DHS spokesperson said, putting the cost at approximately USD70 million. “This aircraft will be available to cabinet members who require secure command-and-control capability and rapid long-range mobility,” the spokesperson added.

Fitted with additional amenities comparable with other aircraft in the government fleet, including those used for vice-president transport, namely four B757-200(C-32A)s and four B757-200(VC-32A)s, the B737-8(BBJ) was recently used as part of the delegation supporting United States vice president JD Vance's trip to Pakistan for ceasefire negotiations with Iran.

Based at Camp Springs, the aircraft initially operated under a government callsign typically reserved for presidential operations, 'EXEC1F', on December 22. The designation has since been used on multiple occasions, including travel by first lady Melania Trump.

The aircraft was originally sourced by Salus Worldwide Solutions, an entity controlled by individuals linked to military MRO specialist Daedalus Aviation, which secured a contract valued at approximately USD140 million to conduct deportation flights. Salus Worldwide Solutions also obtained a USD915 million deportation contract in 2025.

This B737-8(BBJ) was not the only VIP-configured aircraft acquired by DHS during Noem's tenure. A G650 and a G650(ER) were also sourced through Salus Worldwide Solutions and form part of a broader USD464.5 million allocation for the procurement of a total of 10 aircraft for deportation-related aviation operations, following a recently approved USD262.5 million adjustment.

Beyond this, also during Noem's tenure, DHS took delivery of two G700s under a USD172.2 million contract awarded to Gulfstream Aerospace, deployed on VIP transport for United States Coast Guard leadership and senior DHS officials.