A guide to the 'doomsday plane': The US airborne command center

President Donald Trump is contemplating targeting Iranian nuclear sites due to rising tensions in the Israel-Iran conflict. His U.S. Air Force E-4B Nightwatch, often referred to as the “doomsday plane,” has been in the spotlight. It reportedly landed at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, D.C., earlier this week, drawing attention from the New York Post and other outlets.

When questioned about the Nightwatch’s alleged landing, Joint Base Andrews officials informed Fox News Digital that for operational security reasons, they could not discuss the specific location or mission of the National Airborne Operations Center or other aircraft positioned on their flightline. Other reports suggest the plane has left the Washington area and returned to its home base.

Iranian leaders have vowed to retaliate against the U.S. should it become involved in the Israel-Iran conflict. Theresa Payton, who served as the White House’s chief information officer and is currently the CEO of the cybersecurity company Fortalice Solutions, shared with Fox News Digital that in a bid of increasing desperation, the Islamic regime might be planning a significant cyberattack on the U.S.

Doomsday plane

Lt. Col. Peter J. Amaral, left, and Maj. Ted DeBonis exit a E-4B Nightwatch at the Lincoln Airport on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.  (Chris Machian /Omaha World-Herald via AP)

The president is said to be deciding whether to use the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber to deliver a series of 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordinance Penetrators, also known as “bunker busters,” to destroy Iran’s well-fortified Fordow nuclear facility, which may lie further than 300 feet below mountainous rock.

While Israel targeted facilities associated with the Iranian military and Iran’s nuclear program, on June 19, Iran struck Soroka Hospital, the largest hospital in southern Israel, with a ballistic missile, causing damage.

 

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