US 'war room' jet departs Washington DC

The US Air Force's Boeing C-40B Clipper is currently flying west after departing Washington DCTuesday morning on an undisclosed mission. The aircraft, often described as an airborne 'war room' or 'flying office,' is used to transport high-priority personnel, including Cabinet members, combatant commanders and senior military leaders. It also provides secure, global communications capabilities for VIP transport and special missions. Flight-tracking sites show Clipper leaving Camp Springs, home to Joint Base Andrews, at 6:12am ET.

The aircraft is now soaring through the Midwest, passing over Missouri and Kansas. No public destination is listed, and military VIP/support flights like this often have restricted or undisclosed routing for operational security. Officials have not explained the purpose of the flight. The cross-country journey comes amid widespread protests in several US cities over federal immigration enforcement actions. The demonstrations intensified following the recent fatal shootings of Renée Good on January 7 and Alex Pretti on January 24in Minneapolis, Minnesota, incidents that have drawn national attention.

Flight-tracking data from sites like Flightradar24 and ADS-B Exchange confirmed the Clipper is currently airborne and heading west at approximately 34,000 feet with a ground speed of about 417 mph. Such departures can involve routine repositioning, such as ferrying the aircraft to a western base for maintenance, staff transport, or setup for a future pickup, congressional or DoD support travel, or other non-public operations. The westbound routing aligns with common Andrews departure procedures for traffic flow and deconfliction before any potential turn or continuation. The Clipper is equipped with advanced, secure broadband voice and data systems, satellite links, and onboard network capabilities that enable command-and-control operations during long flights.

It typically carries between 26 and 32 passengers and is configured with VIP-style seating, work tables and other accommodations for distinguished visitors. Powered by two GE CFM56-7 engines, the aircraft can cruise at about 530 miles per hour and fly up to roughly 4,500 to 5,000 nautical miles without refueling, depending on payload. It entered service in the early 2000s and is operated by units that support global special air missions, including the 89th Airlift Wing. While the mission is unlikely to be tied to current events in the US, it comes as thousands of Americans have taken to the streets following deaths in Minneapolis. It typically carries between 26 and 32 passengers and is configured with VIP-style seating, work tables and other accommodations for distinguished visitors. 

Powered by two GE CFM56-7 engines, the aircraft can cruise at about 530 miles per hour and fly up to roughly 4,500 to 5,000 nautical miles without refueling, depending on payload. It entered service in the early 2000s and is operated by units that support global special air missions, including the 89th Airlift Wing. While the mission is unlikely to be tied to current events in the US, it comes as thousands of Americans have taken to the streets following deaths in Minneapolis. Good, 37, was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis during a federal operation. She allegedly refused officers' demands to open her car door during a demonstration in Minneapolis. The agent who shot her, Jonathan Ross, also reportedly suffered internal bleeding in his torso after Good allegedly hit him with her vehicle.

The extent of his condition remains unclear, as internal bleeding can also be classified as a bruise or contusion that causes mild or serious injury. In footage from the scene, an officer was seen approaching Good's stopped SUV and grabbing the door handle as he allegedly demanded she open the door. Her Honda Pilot then began to pull forward, and Ross pulled his weapon, immediately firing three shots and jumping back as the vehicle moved toward him. It is unclear from the videos whether the vehicle made contact with Ross. After the shooting, the SUV slammed into two cars parked on a curb before crashing to a stop. Prior to the shooting, Good is believed to have blocked the road with her SUV for four minutes before she was killed. Pretti, 37, was killed shortly after 9am local time Saturday after an altercation involving multiple federal officers. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told the Daily Mail that agents were in the area attempting to apprehend ‘an illegal alien wanted for violent assault’ when Pretti approached them. 

According to DHS, Pretti was armed and carrying a gun with two magazines at the time he was detained. The agency later released a photograph of a nine‑millimeter semi‑automatic handgun it said was recovered during the clash. Officials claimed officers attempted to disarm Pretti, but that he ‘violently resisted’ before a Border Patrol agent fired the fatal shot. Pretti was pronounced dead at the scene. DHS said he did not have identification on him at the time. Video from the scene shows agents wrestling with Pretti and taking him to the ground moments before the shooting. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Pretti had no serious criminal history, with records showing only minor parking violations. O’Hara added that he was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit. Anway said Pretti was politically engaged and deeply informed.