A rare sighting of one of four “Doomsday” aircraft owned by the US Air Force being on the move has sparked concern amid growing tensions across the globe.
The specially converted Boeing 747 E-4B Nightwatch is used in emergencies, including that of 9/11, and is designed to serve as a command post for the US President and top military officials in the event of catastrophic events – even a nuclear war, thus the “Doomsday Plane” nickname.
The aircraft was seen arriving at LAX late on Thursday January 8, then departing around 2.30pm PST Friday, followed by a C-17, as seen on Airline Videos Live.
Outlets report that this could be the first time in its 50-year history that a “Doomsday Plane” has been caught on camera in flight, although on 11 September 2001, an aircraft closely resembling an E-4B was spotted and filmed circling the Washington, D.C. area by journalists and civilians, after the attack on the Pentagon.
The aircraft has also been filmed providing travel support outside the US for the Secretary of Defense and his staff to ensure Title 10 command and control connectivity.
Aircraft designed as airborne nuclear command center
Military aviation enthusiasts claim that, according to online flight data, E-4B aircraft perform a few routine flights over the year.
A US Doomsday Plane was also spotted on the move last summer, on June 18, 2025, after President Donald Trump had threatened Iran with military action over its nuclear program and support for strikes on Israel.
The conduct of E-4B operations encompasses all phases of the threat spectrum, reads the US Air Force description. In case of national emergency or destruction of ground command and control centers, the aircraft provides a highly survivable command, control and communications center to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders, and coordinate actions by civil authorities.
Built in 1973, amidst the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union, the E-4 series of strategic command and control military aircraft are specially modified from the Boeing 747-200B for the National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP) program as an airborne nuclear command center.
They are designed to survive a potential electromagetic pulse (EMP) blast with systems intact, and operate during global crises.
“An advanced satellite communications system provides worldwide communication for senior leaders through the airborne operations center,” according to the US Air Force. “Other improvements include nuclear and thermal effects shielding, acoustic control, an improved technical control facility and an upgraded air-conditioning system for cooling electrical components.”
The Doomsday Plane can host a crew up to 111 people, including flight and mission personnel, the largest crew of any aircraft in US Air Force history. The main deck is divided into six functional areas: a command work area, conference room, briefing room, an operations team work area, communications area and rest area.
In a test flight for endurance, the aircraft remained airborne and fully operational for 35.4 hours, however the “Doomsday Plane” should be able to remain airborne for a full week in the event of an emergency.