Is It True That The Air Force Uses Refurbished Commercial Jets?

Some have claimed that the United States Air Force (USAF) uses refurbished commercial aircraft, leading some to imagine a bargain-bin airline hand-me-down with a coat of gray paint added on. The reality, however, is a lot more nuanced. The United States Air Force often flies aircraft that originate from commercial designs, and, in a smaller number of cases, it acquires airframes that previously flew for airlines or other private owners. Refurbished, however, is the wrong word for what actually tends to happen before an aircraft ever actually enters service with the organization. Once a civilian-derived platform has been selected, it can undergo a deep conversion, one that includes secure communications, additional electrical power and cooling, mission networking, reconfigured interiors, defensive systems, and extensive certification and subsequent testing.