Military Clipper Over Fairhope

A US Air Force Boeing C-40C Clipper passes over Sweetwater Branch in Fairhope late the morning of NOV 13th 2025 while on a flight that originated from Scott Air Force base outside St. Louis, MO. The Clipper is captured about one and a half miles up, moving at a ground speed of about 267 knots or 307 mph as it heads southeast toward Gulf Shores.

The C-40 Clipper is a military version of Boeing’s 737 passenger jetliner and is used by the Air Force as a transport aircraft for high priority personnel. The Navy and Marine Corps also use the aircraft. Different versions of the Clipper exist. The C-40A is used for logistics transport including cargo and passengers, while the C-40B and C-40C are used to transport senior military commanders as well as members of the Cabinet and Congress. The B version has advanced secure communications capability and can be used by military and government leaders as an airborne office to conduct business anywhere in the world, while the C version is configured for VIP transport and has sleeping accommodations. All versions have auxiliary fuel tanks for extended range.

Photo shot from Fairhope, roughly 1.5 miles from the aircraft…