As we know, since the new US administration took office, deportations of undocumented immigrants have increased massively. As part of these efforts, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been looking for ways to expand deportation flights. But a recent Wall Street Journal report revealed an unusual development.
Apparently, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem authorized the purchase of Spirit Airlines aircraft before realizing that the airline did not actually own them and that the planes had no engines. People familiar with the matter told the publication that the aircraft were intended to be used to expand deportation flights, as well as for personal travel.
Homeland Security Tried To Buy 10 Spirit Airlines’ Boeing 737s
As detailed in the report, Noem and senior adviser Corey Lewandowski had arranged to buy ten Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. However, Spirit filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in August and did not own the jets in question. Once officials reviewed the proposal, they discovered that the planes also lacked engines, which would have had to be purchased separately. The plan has since been put on hold.
According to the DHS, the administration is on track to deport around 600,000 immigrants by the end of the year. However, purchasing aircraft outright would be a costly approach. Just for reference, in July, Congress passed a bill allocating about $170 billion to the department for immigration and border-related operations.
Sources cited by The Wall Street Journal said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials had warned that buying aircraft would be far more expensive than simply expanding existing flight contracts. A DHS spokesperson told the publication that parts of its reporting on the aircraft purchases were inaccurate but declined to provide further clarification.
DHS Is Currently Facing Scrutiny Over $200 Million Gulfstream Jet Purchase
However, the department has faced additional scrutiny over another recent acquisition. In October, Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee revealed that the DHS had purchased two used Gulfstream G700 jets for $200 million. It is worth noting that the jets were valued at $172 million, but when support services and configuration requirements are included, the total cost of the contract equates to around $200 million. The contract was reportedly approved during the ongoing government shutdown on October 17.
Coast Guard Acting Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday stated that the acquisition was intended to replace aging long-range command and control aircraft, which had required 30 days of unscheduled maintenance in 2025 and led to six mission cancellations. Even so, lawmakers have questioned the timing and necessity of the purchase. House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro and Homeland Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Lauren Underwood requested an explanation from Secretary Noem, arguing that the contract did not align with previous DHS funding priorities.
In their letter, they wrote, “It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a government shutdown, the United States Coast Guard entered into a sole source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to procure two new G700 luxury jets to support travel for you and the Deputy Secretary, at a cost to the taxpayer of $200 million.” The representatives also noted that the approval appeared inconsistent with the department’s acquisition strategy for its Long Range Command and Control Aircraft (LRCC) fleet.
A Look At The Coast Guard’s Long-Range Command Aircraft Fleet
The Coast Guard’s LRCCA fleet is used to transport senior DHS officials, including Secretary Noem, along with the Coast Guard Commandant and other senior commanders. According to ch-aviation, the US government had previously planned to purchase a single pre-owned Gulfstream G550 to replace the Coast Guard’s 24.1-year-old GV (C-37A). The service requested an additional $50 million in its proposed budget for the current fiscal year.
In addition to that aircraft, the service currently operates a 6.3-year-old G550 (C-37B) and a 25.9-year-old G550 that was added to the fleet earlier this year. The latter was initially operated under the Part 135 certificate of Aery Aviation in Newport News before being transferred to Coast Guard service. Both aircraft are based out of Washington National and are the only two jet aircraft in the Coast Guard’s fleet.
