Gulfstream Air Force One (C-20C and C-137B)

Gulfstream C-20C

The Gulfstream C-20C is like the United States Air ForceC-20B, but with upgraded and “hardened” secure communications, often utilized as backup aircraft accompanying the VC-25A aircraft when it is operating as Air Force One. At times, the C-20C is used as the primary Air Force One. It has a cruise speed of 508 mph and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet.

The United States President have used the Gulfstreams as their primary aircraft when the flights are of the shorter variety and they don’t need to take all of their staff along. They have also used the Gulfstreams when they are trying to not be so noticeable as they would be in the larger jets.

In November 1999, President Bill Clinton flew from Ankara, Turkey, to Cengiz Topel Naval Air Station outside Izmit, Turkey, aboard a marked Gulfsream C-20C  using the call sign “Air Force One”, escorted by three F-16s.

On 8 March 2000, President Clinton flew to Pakistan aboard an unmarked Gulfstream C-20C while another aircraft with the call sign “Air Force One” flew on the same route a few minutes later. This diversion was reported by several U.S. press outlets.

Gulfstream C-37B

C-37B is the US Air Force designation for the Gulfstream G550 in a VIP passenger configuration. The United States Air Force has one specially equipped C-37B used as VIP transport including the President. The 89th Airlift Wing took delivery of the Gulfstream C-37B, just before Christmas 2019.

Gulfstream says the range of the aircraft is 6,750 nautical miles with eight passengers.

The United States Air Force doesn’t say much about their C-37B, but pilots familiar with the C-37B say that the normal range of the aircraft with a standard load of passengers is about 5,500 nautical miles, enough to fly from Hawaii to Washington, DC, nonstop.