What is doomsday airplane? E-4B Nightwatch lands in Washington DC as Trump weighs Iran strike

Jun 19, 2025 08:55 PM IST The uncommon flight of the nuclear crisis-ready E-4B plane has raised questions amid escalating US-Iran tensions. One of the US army’s most secretive plane, the Boeing E-4B Nightwatch, typically dubbed the ‘doomsday plane’ landed on the Joint Base Andrews outdoors Washington, DC, on Tuesday night time. The flight’s look got here amid mounting tensions within the Middle East, reported The New York Post. The plane, which serves as an airborne army command middle able to working via nuclear battle or nationwide disaster, departed from Bossier City in Louisiana shortly earlier than 6 pm and touched down shortly after 10 pm. Trump’s ‘doomsday airplane’ E-4B Nightwatch lands in Washington DC(US Air Force) Unusual flight path raises browsAs per the report, the E-4Bs incessantly fly to keep up readiness. This explicit mission, nonetheless, stood out attributable to its non-standard coastal flight path, which looped round Virginia and North Carolina earlier than it reached Maryland. What’s extra puzzling to aviation trackers was the plane’s use of the callsign ORDER01, a break from its routine identifier ORDER6. The plane’s sudden route and callsign prompted hypothesis that the mission might need been non-routine or pressing in nature. Middle East tensions heighten intrigueThe timing of the flight sparked additional intrigue because it arrived simply as President Donald Trump issued a name 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 situation, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the US of “irreparable damage” ought to it grow to be instantly concerned, the report said. Adding to the thriller, two Iranian authorities plane reportedly departed for Oman, fueling speculations of emergency diplomacy or evacuation operations. Also learn: Iran Israel battle reside updates: Israel claims Iran used missiles with a number of warheads What is the E-4B Nightwatch?Commonly known as the ‘Flying Pentagon’, the E-4B is meant for use by the President, Secretary of Defense, and senior army commanders within the occasion of nuclear battle or a disaster negatively impacting US infrastructure. The flying fortress is hardened to guard towards electromagnetic pulses and nuclear blasts, and it’s able to carrying practically 67 satellite tv for pc dishes and antennas to keep up worldwide communication capabilities. It could be airborne for over 35 hours attributable to mid-air refueling, and it’s primarily the nexus of the US National Command Authority throughout crises. The flight of the plane in Washington comes shortly after renewed consideration to the fleet, with the US Air Force managing a $13 billion program to modernize and/or change the ageing Nightwatch plane. FAQs:1 What is the E-4B Nightwatch used for?It is a cell army command middle constructed to function throughout nuclear battle or nationwide emergencies, able to coordinating responses from the air. 2 Why is it referred to as the ‘Doomsday Plane’?The nickname displays its function as a last-resort command hub throughout worst-case eventualities like nuclear battle. 3 Why did the E-4B fly to Washington this week?While not formally disclosed, its flight coincided with rising tensions between the US, Iran, and Israel. 4 Are there extra E-4B plane?Yes, the US maintains a small fleet of 4 E-4B plane, all operated by the US Air Force’s 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron.