The United States Marine Corps has officially received its first Boeing C-40A Clipper transport aircraft, marking a significant upgrade to its logistical air support capabilities. This delivery, the first of two C-40As destined for the Marine Forces Reserve, took place at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, on May 19, 2023. The aircraft will be operated by Marine Transport Squadron One (VMR-1), a component of Marine Aircraft Group 41, under the 4th Marine Air Wing.
Marine Corps C-40A Clipper lands at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth Texas
VMR-1 is set to utilize the C-40A Clipper transport aircraft to provide crucial assault support through air logistics for both the Marine Corps and joint services. This includes time-sensitive, long-range, multipurpose air transport for key personnel and critical cargo. These operations will span across combatant commands and theaters of war, enhancing the military’s ability to respond rapidly to diverse mission requirements.
Prior to receiving the C-40A Clipper, VMR-1 operated two C-9B Skytrain II aircraft from Joint Base Andrews-NAF Washington until 2017. Following their relocation to NAS-JRB Fort Worth, the squadron began sharing C-40A Clipper transports with Navy Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 59. Looking ahead, the 2022 Marine Corps Aviation Plan outlines VMR-1’s further move to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, by fiscal year 2024. This transition will see the C-40A replacing the two C-20G Gulfstream IV transports currently supporting the Indo-Pacific Command, signifying a strategic enhancement of airlift capabilities in a critical region.
It is important to note that these Marine C-40A Clipper aircraft are not newly manufactured but are conversions of pre-owned Boeing 737 airliners. The Navy Air Reserve has been operating 17 C-40As since 2001, spread across six fleet logistics support squadrons. These aircraft are vital for executing Navy-specific fleet-essential airlift missions, and now the Marine Corps will benefit from the proven reliability and versatility of the Boeing C-40A Clipper transport aircraft platform to enhance their operational effectiveness.
