A highly secure U.S. military aircraft known as the “Doomsday plane” was spotted making a mysterious flight on Tuesday, raising eyebrows and sparking speculation online.
The Boeing E-4B ‘Nightwatch’ (designed to serve as a mobile command center in the event of a national emergency or nuclear conflict) departed from Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City at 5:56 p.m. ET.
The aircraft traveled along the U.S. East Coast, circled near the Virginia-North Carolina border, and landed at Joint Base Andrews at 10:01 p.m., after a flight lasting just over four hours.
Unusual activity caught the attention of aviation watchers, particularly because the aircraft used a previously unseen callsign, ORDER01, rather than its typical ORDER6, according to the Revil News. This rare change fueled theories online, as observers questioned the nature of the mission.
The U.S. Air Force operates four E-4B aircraft, which routinely fly to ensure military readiness. However, the timing of this flight, combined with rising tensions in the Middle East, has led some to believe the mission may be tied to increased security measures for former President.
Recent reports suggest Trump is considering backing Israel’s escalating military action against Iran, even going so far as to demand Iran’s “unconditional surrender”. In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly rejected the demand, stating (via NBC News): “This nation will not surrender to anyone in the face of imposition.”
Since Israel began airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure last week, at least 224 people have been reported dead. Khamenei warned the U.S. against military involvement, saying any intervention would cause “irreparable damage.”
While the E-4B aircraft is best known for its role in nuclear war scenarios, it has also been used for other critical operations, i24 details. During Hurricane Opal in 1995, it served as an airborne FEMA command center. One was even reportedly used to protect President George W. Bush in the chaotic hours following the September 11 attacks.
Although the aircraft is typically based at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, records from FlightAware show that Tuesday’s mission began earlier in the day near Window Rock, Arizona, before stopping in Louisiana and then continuing on to Maryland, the Daily Mail reports.
The E-4B is unmatched in its capabilities. Built to withstand nuclear blasts, electromagnetic pulses, and cyberattacks, the aircraft can launch retaliatory missiles, maintain global communications, and support analysts and decision-makers on board. It features 67 satellite dishes and antennas within its radar dome, ensuring worldwide connectivity.
Inside, the aircraft includes three decks equipped with a command center, conference room, communications hub, and even a rest area with 18 bunks, per CNET. It can remain airborne for extended periods, up to 35.4 hours at a time, and is capable of mid-air refueling, allowing for continuous operation for up to a week.
Though the purpose of Tuesday’s flight remains undisclosed, its timing, coinciding with rising geopolitical tensions and renewed rhetoric between U.S. and Iranian leaders, has led many to believe it was more than just a routine exercise.
