A U.S. military aircraft known as a “doomsday plane” made its way to Joint Base Andrews near Washington, DC this week, as President Trump considers whether to authorize a strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
The E-4B Nightwatch, a specially outfitted command and control aircraft meant to ensure the continuity of government in a nuclear conflict, was tracked en route to the capital, following a meandering flight path.
According to data from FlightRadar, the aircraft departed from Bossier City, Louisiana, around 6 p.m. Tuesday and touched down in Maryland at 10 p.m., after flying along the East Coast and looping around parts of Virginia and North Carolina.
Flight trackers noted something unusual: the aircraft used the callsign ORDER01, a departure from its usual identifier ORDER6, prompting speculation about its mission.
The U.S. operates four E-4Bs as part of a fleet that flies regularly throughout the year to maintain readiness for national security crises.
These jets function as mobile headquarters for top defense leaders, including the president, the secretary of defense, and the Joint Chiefs, enabling them to manage military operations even during extreme emergencies.
Each Nightwatch plane is equipped to carry as many as 112 personnel and can travel more than 7,000 miles without needing to land.
Their strategic value lies in their unique features, which include resilience against nuclear explosions, cyber threats, and electromagnetic interference. They are also capable of launching retaliatory strikes if necessary.
The E-4B is shielded against thermal and nuclear threats and houses 67 antennas and satellite dishes in its ray dome, providing global communication capabilities.
Thanks to in-flight refueling, the aircraft can stay aloft for days at a time. In fact, one such mission recorded a continuous flight time of 35.4 hours.
Inside, the aircraft offers extensive accommodations spread over three decks, including 18 sleeping bunks, a command center, conference areas, and space for strategic planning—essentially functioning as a mobile Pentagon.
Donald Rumsfeld, who served as defense secretary under President George W. Bush, frequently used the E-4B for travel.
Some analysts believe the recent flight may be tied to heightened security measures for the president amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The U.S. Air Force has begun the process of retiring the current Nightwatch fleet. In April, it awarded a $13 billion contract to Sierra Nevada Corporation to build their replacements, according to a report by the Aviationist.
The backdrop to the deployment is rising friction between Iran and Israel, with Trump recently calling for Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”
Despite suffering heavy aerial bombardment in Tehran that has led thousands to flee, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rejected Trump’s demand on Wednesday.
Since Israel initiated its military operation against Iran last week, over 224 people have reportedly been killed.
FlightRadar showed that two Iranian government jets left Iranian airspace on Wednesday, heading to Oman.
This triggered speculation that high-ranking Iranian officials might be escaping the conflict—or possibly preparing for urgent negotiations in Muscat.
{Matzav.com}