What is ‘doomsday plane'? E-4B Nightwatch lands in Washington DC as Trump weighs Iran strike
One of the US military's most secretive aircraft, the Boeing E-4B Nightwatch, often dubbed the 'doomsday plane' landed at the Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, DC, on Tuesday night. The flight's appearance came amid mounting tensions in the Middle East, reported The New York Post. The aircraft, which serves as an airborne military command center capable of operating through nuclear war or national catastrophe, departed from Bossier City in Louisiana shortly before 6 pm and touched down shortly after 10 pm.
As per the report, the E-4Bs frequently fly to maintain readiness. This particular mission, however, stood out due to its non-standard coastal flight path, which looped around Virginia and North Carolina before it reached Maryland. What's more puzzling to aviation trackers was the aircraft's use of the callsign ORDER01, a break from its routine identifier ORDER6. The aircraft's unexpected route and callsign prompted speculation that the mission might have been non-routine or urgent in nature.
The timing of the flight sparked further intrigue since it arrived just as President Donald Trump issued a call for Iran's 'unconditional surrender' in response to escalating Israeli airstrikes, which have killed over 639 Iranians, as per the Associated Press.
Soon after Trump's condition, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the US of 'irreparable damage' should it become directly involved, the report stated. Adding to the mystery, two Iranian government aircraft reportedly departed for Oman, fueling speculations of emergency diplomacy or evacuation operations.
Also read: Iran Israel war live updates: Israel claims Iran used missiles with multiple warheads
Commonly referred to as the 'Flying Pentagon', the E-4B is intended to be used by the President, Secretary of Defense, and senior military commanders in the event of nuclear war or a catastrophe negatively impacting US infrastructure.
The flying fortress is hardened to protect against electromagnetic pulses and nuclear blasts, and it is capable of carrying nearly 67 satellite dishes and antennas to maintain worldwide communication capabilities. It can be airborne for over 35 hours due to mid-air refueling, and it is essentially the nexus of the US National Command Authority during crises.
The flight of the aircraft in Washington comes shortly after renewed attention to the fleet, with the US Air Force managing a $13 billion program to modernize and/or replace the ageing Nightwatch aircraft.
It is a mobile military command center built to operate during nuclear war or national emergencies, capable of coordinating responses from the air.
The nickname reflects its role as a last-resort command hub during worst-case scenarios like nuclear war.
While not officially disclosed, its flight coincided with rising tensions between the US, Iran, and Israel.
Yes, the US maintains a small fleet of four E-4B aircraft, all operated by the US Air Force's 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
16 minutes ago
- News18
Trump Says Harvard Acted 'Extremely Appropriately' During Talks, Likely To Reach A Deal Soon
Last Updated: Harvard had sued the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies against Trump's efforts to block international students and cut federal grants. US President Donald Trump on Friday said Harvard has 'acted extremely appropriately" during negotiations and a deal could be announced soon, signalling a shift in his administration's efforts to target the university as a US judge blocked his ban on international students. 'Many people have been asking what is going on with Harvard University and their largescale improprieties that we have been addressing, looking for a solution. We have been working closely with Harvard, and it is very possible that a Deal will be announced over the next week or so," he said on his Truth Social platform. 'They have acted extremely appropriately during these negotiations, and appear to be committed to doing what is right. If a Settlement is made on the basis that is currently being discussed, it will be 'mindbogglingly" HISTORIC, and very good for our Country," he added. A source told CNN that while the Trump administration is engaged in talks with a very small circle of Harvard leadership, a final agreement has not been reached. Such an agreement could potentially resolve outstanding legal battles between the administration and the university. Trump had targeted Harvard by revoking its ability to host international students and scholars and freezing federal funding, after his allies argued that they were cracking down on antisemitism on the campus amid the Israel-Hamas war. US Judge Blocks Trump Ban On Foreign Students After Trump's statement, a federal judge blocked Trump's bid to block Harvard from enrolling foreign students, while legal proceedings continue. Harvard had sued the Trump administration to block foreign students and funding, arguing that they were illegal and unconstitutional. Harvard previously secured two temporary restraining orders from Burroughs against the government's move to bar international students, and the judge extended it with a preliminary injunction on Friday. In court filings, Harvard argued that Trump's actions were 'retribution for Harvard's exercising its First Amendment rights to reject the government's demands to control Harvard's governance, curriculum, and the 'ideology' of its faculty and students." It is worth mentioning that international students are a major source of revenue for Harvard, accounting for 27% of total enrollment at Harvard in the 2024-2025 academic year. Last week, US Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the administration believes Harvard has taken steps to combat antisemitism on campus and that some progress has been made. (with agency inputs) First Published:
The Hindu
18 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Trump says two weeks is ‘maximum' for Iran decision
Israel and Iran traded strikes a week into their war on Friday (June 20, 2025) as President Donald Trump weighed U.S. military involvement and key European ministers met with Iran's top diplomat in Geneva in a scramble to de-escalate the conflict. But the first face-to-face meeting between Western and Iranian officials in the weeklong war concluded after four hours with no sign of an immediate breakthrough. To give diplomacy a chance, Mr. Trump said he would put off deciding for up to two weeks whether to join Israel's air campaign against Iran. U.S. participation would most likely involve strikes against Iran's underground Fordo uranium enrichment facility, considered to be out of reach to all but America's 'bunker-buster' bombs. Whether or not the U.S. joins, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's military operation in Iran would continue 'for as long as it takes' to eliminate what he called the existential threat of Iran's nuclear program and arsenal of ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, Tehran is ready to 'consider diplomacy' again only once Israel's 'aggression is stopped', Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said following talks in Geneva with his European counterparts on Iran's nuclear programme.
India.com
18 minutes ago
- India.com
Iran-Israel war:
Iran-Israel war: "Tehran wants to speak to us, not Europe," says Donald Trump Washington, DC: US President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed a European diplomatic initiative aimed at de-escalating the conflict between Israel and Iran, asserting that Tehran prefers direct talks with Washington instead of engaging with European powers, CNN reported. 'Iran didn't want to speak to Europe, they want to speak to us,' Trump told reporters. This statement shows he is sceptical regarding Europe's ability to mediate in the conflict. 'Israel is doing well in terms of war, and I think you would have to say Iran is doing less well. It's a little hard to get someone to stop,' he said. The Iran-Israel conflict entered the eighth day, with both sides launching missile attacks against each other. British, French, and German foreign ministers met with Iranian officials in Geneva for three hours. The discussions yielded no significant progress, although European ministers emphasised the need for ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict and prevent further regional instability. Despite stepping back earlier from threats of a US military strike and creating a two-week window for negotiations, Trump reiterated his intention to act as a 'peacemaker.'However, he maintained that only direct talks between the US and Iran could lead to a resolution. 'Europe is not going to be able to help,' he said. European officials encouraged Iran to return to nuclear negotiations with the US, but Iran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, refused, saying diplomacy would only resume 'once the aggressor was held accountable for the crimes committed,' CNN Friday, Iran launched a barrage of missiles targeting several Israeli cities, including Haifa and Beersheba. Earlier in the day, a missile damaged multiple buildings in Beersheba, including a medical center that had already been largely evacuated. Later, one of about 35 missiles struck an abandoned building in downtown Haifa, causing heavy damage to nearby structures, including a response to the Iranian attacks, Israel announced that it had carried out retaliatory strikes on missile factories and a research facility linked to Iran's nuclear program, further escalating the hostilities. President Trump expressed hesitation about urging Israel to cease its military action against Iran, citing the current military successes. He indicated that intervening would be more difficult given Israel's apparent progress, although the US remains engaged in diplomatic talks with Iran and is prepared to act as needed. (with ANI inputs)
