Boeing, USAF Lower Security Requirements For New Air Force One

AURORA, Colorado—Boeing and the U.S. Air Force have reduced the clearance requirements for workers on the VC-25B “Air Force One” program, attempting to address a long-standing problem with the program that has contributed to extensive delays.

Until recently, almost all workers on the program needed a Yankee White security clearance, which requires an extensive background check on the same level as service members who work with the president and vice president. Now, that requirement has been lifted for many of the workers on the program, Aviation Week has learned.

“Boeing continues to operate to the security requirements for VC-25B outlined by the U.S. Air Force,” a Boeing spokesperson said in a statement.

The change came within the past few weeks, as President Donald Trump’s personal aide and SpaceX boss Elon Musk has taken an interest in the program. Musk has risen to a manager level, holding regular meetings to oversee the program.

A now expired job posting for a structures mechanic on Boeing’s executive fleet outlined intensive security clearance requirements for the work, which takes place in San Antonio. The job description says the position required the ability to obtain a clearance, and a $25,000 bonus if the hire already has a Yankee White. An updated posting for the same job, posted Feb. 25, removes all requirements for clearances.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg addressed Musk’s involvement in a Feb. 20 discussion with investors. Ortberg said Trump is “clearly not happy” with the delivery schedule, and Musk’s involvement has helped work through the requirements on the program by finding “non-value-added constraints to be removed.

“He’s a brilliant guy, so he’s able to pretty quickly ascertain the difference between technical requirements and things that we can move out of the way, and he’s helping us in a big way.” 

Trump in a joint interview with Musk on Feb. 19 criticized Boeing, saying the company has “been building this thing forever.”

Boeing is converting two 747-8Is originally built for defunct Russian carrier Transaero. The program has slowed amid supplier issues, worker shortages and other problems. After the contract award in 2018, the program was rebaselined in June 2022 with a planned initial operational capability planned in fiscal 2027, though it has slipped further. Boeing is expected to provide a new schedule soon.

Trump told reporters Feb. 20 that he was looking at alternatives for the program, saying “we may go and buy a plane” and convert it.

It is not clear how that process would play out, as Boeing has been on contract for the program for years and a restart would push an operational capability much further out.

The Air Force is converting 747s for its Survivable Airborne Operations Center program, with Sierra Nevada Corp. building a fleet of four aircraft to replace the current E-4B fleet. SNC has purchased five 747s for the program from Korean Airlines, and the company has said it has options to grow the fleet.