Why has the US Department of Homeland Security got a luxury BBJ Boeing 737 MAX?
December 15, 2025
The picture is becoming clearer surrounding a lavishly outfitted Boeing 737 MAX 8 BBJ that has appeared wearing a legitimate US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) livery.
With no official announcement regarding the arrival of the aircraft by the US government, aviation websites have been left speculating as to the origin of the aircraft and its ultimate purpose.
The arrival of the first DHS Boeing 737 MAX 8 BBJ
In mid-December, eagle-eyed aviation enthusiasts caught their first glimpse of the latest US Government aircraft in the form of a Boeing 737 MAX 8 BBJ bearing US civil registration N471US.
Newly Repainted N471US Boeing 737 MAX 8 BBJ Linked to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Operationshttps://t.co/9sIUYBeTa5 pic.twitter.com/EM4ut2zQAJ
— MarcelvandenBerg (@ArcelvandenBerg) December 15, 2025
Resplendent in a revised US government colour scheme, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lists the aircraft as belonging to Valkyrie Aviation Holdings LLC.
Questions started to be asked after the aircraft was spotted wearing small US Department of Homeland Security decals. However, with further research, some light has been shed on the aircraft, its provenance and its intended role.
The Boeing 737 is clearly flying for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). See the seal inside the cabin and the DHS seal. pic.twitter.com/54qTjuf5SE
— MarcelvandenBerg (@ArcelvandenBerg) December 15, 2025
The DHS has overall responsibility for both US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as well as Customs and Border Protection, the two agencies that are tasked by President Trump to oversee the contentious policy of mass deportations from the US.
The Washington Post uncovered that the DHS is buying six Boeing 737 MAX aircraft under a $140 million contract for operating deportation flights. Indeed, Valkyrie Aviation has reportedly reserved six registrations between N473US and N479US for this purpose.
That contract, which was made with Daedalus Aviation, was later confirmed by DHS.
A luxury jet for ICE deportation flights?
Reports suggest that the DHS is planning to use these aircraft for ICE deportation flights. The Post noted that Daedelus Aviation’s CEO and CFO hold identical roles in a company linked to a $1 billion contract to support ‘self deportation’ volunteers.
However, this aircraft seems a little ‘nice’ for deportation flights.
Boasting a VIP configuration with an opulent interior featuring 17 deluxe seats and two queen beds, it would seem unlikely that this latest aircraft is one of the six planes intended for the ICE operations.
It’s possible this first aircraft is being used to transport DHS officials on government business. If it does turn out to be an ICE plane, deportees will at least get a comfortable ride out of the country.
The origins of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 BBJ
On 23 September 23, still registered as N702F, the aircraft flew from Dallas to Ardmore. According to Planespotters.net, the aircraft is 7.78 years old, having first flown in April 2018.
At the date of its ferry flight to Ardmore, the aircraft was registered as owned by Fertitta Enterprises but had officially been retired from service with that company on 5 September this year.
The aircraft was subsequently put up for sale by US aircraft brokerage firm Avjet. According to the Avjet website entry, N702F had accumulated only 672 flight hours and 154 landings at the time of sale. The aircraft was listed as featuring a VIP interior as described above.
The DHS Boeing 737 MAX
The aircraft remained at Ardmore Airport (ADM), where King Aerospace Commercial Corporation, a specialist firm in aircraft maintenance, repainting and refurbishment, is located.
Then, according to data from Flightradar24, on 30 October, the plane departed from Ardmore to Lake Charles (CWF), where it stayed for three weeks before returning to Ardmore. Between 10 and 12 December, the aircraft conducted a series of short flights from Ardmore, likely test flights or crew training.
According to the website Feit of Fake, it is likely that the aircraft was repainted at Lake Charles by a firm that had previously been tasked with repainting a Boeing 757 registered N911NA (note the similar registration) on behalf of the US Department of Justice.
The livery applied to the Boeing 737 MAX 8 BBJ is reported to be the first time that the livery has been applied to any US government aircraft. It also bears a remarkable likeness to that unveiled by President Trump in 2018 when he announced a deal with Boeing for two new VC-25B Air Force One replacements.
The first thing that greets you when you walk into Mar A Lago is the new Air Force One design by Trump and it’s just so badass 🇺🇸
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 16, 2024
Golden Age Starts Now pic.twitter.com/eVvF69mYAN
Back at Ardmore with several more air tests completed, the aircraft was then ferried to Washington-Reagan National Airport (DCA) on 13 December.
The first DHS mission for N471US
On 14 December, N471US embarked on a flight from Washington to Chania Airport (Greece), which happens to be a joint NATO military airbase.
A 737 painted to similar to Trump’s proposed colors for Air Force One but owned by a private entity landed at DCA and reportedly has DHS logos inside. Could be one of the new deportation planes or executive transport for DHS officials. pic.twitter.com/ux2JNnfr9S
— Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) December 14, 2025
After two hours on the ground in Chania, the aircraft departed for Amman in Jordan on 15 December, where, as of the time of writing, it remains. It’s not known who is on board the Boeing 737 BBJ and what the purpose of its visit to Amman is.
However, for the time being at least, the aircraft seems destined to operate as a VIP transport for the upper echelons of DHS staff, rather than have any links to the contentious ICE plans.
