Washington, DC: It’s popularly known as the “Doomsday Plane”. Officially, it is a Boeing E-4B Nightwatch – one of the most secretive aircraft in the US military’s arsenal that is rarely spotted.
Its sudden appearance this week, amid heightened global tensions, has sparked speculation on whether the US is anticipating anything major.
The aircraft is designed to function as an airborne command centre during nuclear war or national catastrophe. It was seen flying across multiple US locations, including Washington, DC and Los Angeles, according to reports.
According to Mint, flight tracking data showed the E-4B departing Omaha, Nebraska, on January 6 before landing at Camp Springs, Maryland, near Washington, DC. The aircraft as per reports later flew to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Thursday (January 8).
Videos and livestreams of the landing at LAX quickly went viral on social media, prompting questions about the purpose of the unusual flight.
It was later confirmed by US media outlets that secretary of defense Pete Hegseth was on board the aircraft. The plane reportedly departed from Joint Base Andrews and flew t
o Los Angeles.
The Pentagon has not explained, however, why the E-4B was used instead of a standard government aircraft.
According to experts, the E-4B Nightwatch serves as the National Airborne Operations Center, a flying command post for the president, defence secretary and senior military leadership during worst-case scenarios.
Based on a modified Boeing 747-200, the aircraft is hardened against electromagnetic pulses, equipped with advanced communications systems and can remain airborne for days with in-flight refuelling.
The US has four E-4Bs and at least one of them are kept on continuous standby.
Up to 110 personnel can be on board, including command staff, intelligence teams and communications specialists.
The aircraft has been activated only once in a real emergency – following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, when it was used to ensure continuity of government.
While the fleet conducts routine training flights each year, public sightings are extremely rare, adding to the intrigue surrounding this week’s movements.
The flight comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions, including a widening US military campaign linked to Venezuela and the recent capture of President Nicolás Maduro, who has been transferred to New York to face criminal charges.
Whether the aircraft’s deployment was routine logistics, heightened security precautions, or a strategic signal remains unclear. US officials have so far declined to comment, leaving analysts and observers watching closely for further developments.