'Doomsday Plane' Sparks Speculation As It Lands at Joint Base Andrews Amid Ongoing Israel-Iran Conflict

It’s the Boeing E-4B “Nightwatch,” and it’s known as the “Doomsday Plane” because it’s outfitted to keep the president and top officials safe during times of national emergency.

There are four of them, and they make routine flights throughout the year to maintain readiness. Even so, speculation mounted Tuesday after one of them flew from Louisiana to Maryland, landing at Joint Base Andrews at 10:10 p.m.—just a quick helicopter ride from the White House.

The mission lasted over four hours, sparking online speculation, especially after users noticed a never-before-seen callsign, ORDER01, instead of the usual ORDER6…
However, some observers suggested the mission may be linked to increased presidential security amid rising fears of nuclear escalation in the Middle East.
Tensions have surged following reports that Trump is prepared to support Israel's military efforts against Iran, demanding Tehran's 'unconditional surrender.'
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in a statement read by a television presenter on Wednesday that his country will not accept Trump's call for an unconditional surrender.

🚨🇺🇸USAF Boeing 747-E4B
Presidential doomsday plane (ORDER01) was scrambled from Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana and is circling over Virginia, possibly due to something large happening tonight with Israel 🇮🇱and 🇮🇷Iran. pic.twitter.com/4R5C78hBB0
— Todd Paron🇺🇸🇬🇷🎧👽 (@tparon) June 18, 2025

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The doomsday plane is basically a flying fortress:

They have thermal and nuclear shielding, and are capable of withstanding nuclear blasts, electromagnetic effects and cyberattacks. They can also launch retaliatory missiles.
The plane carries special equipment and can communicate with anyone, anywhere in the world, and support analysts and strategists in-flight. E-4Bs have 67 satellite dishes and antennas in the ray dome.

They have multiple decks and can stay in the air for long periods:

Doomsday planes have three decks, which include a command room, conference room, briefing room, teamwork area, communications room and a designated rest area featuring 18 bunks.
The planes have remained airborne and operational for as long as 35.4 hours in one stint, but they were designed to operate in-flight for a full week without needing to land. The E-4B is also capable of refueling mid-air.

This plane is an airborne version of the Pentagon — it is nicknamed the Doomsday Plane pic.twitter.com/NsbUL6kZC7
— Business Insider (@BusinessInsider) November 17, 2018

Following the attacks of 9/11, former President George W. Bush stayed in the air for eight hours on Air Force One, a Boeing 747-200B (VC-25A), accompanied by three F-16 fighters while all other flights in the country were grounded.

Is this flight important, a sign of something big coming? Or is it just routine? Opinions on social media are all over the map, with some saying it’s a clear sign that something is afoot, others claiming it’s just the administration preparing for a VIP like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to go overseas.

If I were to speculate, I’d guess that it’s just Trump and the Pentagon being prudent and staying prepared for any eventuality.

Editor's Note: Thanks to President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's leadership, the warrior ethos is coming back to America's military.

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