US 'Doomsday Plane' makes rare flight: 'Unusual' callsign sparks buzz amid Iran-Israel conflict

E-4B Nightwatch

One of America's top-secret aircraft — the E-4B Nightwatch, nicknamed the “doomsday plane” — made a rare and closely watched flight to Joint Base Andrews near Washington DC on Tuesday as tensions between Israel and Iran soared.

The mission coincided with US President Donald Trump's escalating rhetoric toward Iran, sparking speculation about America's next move in the conflict and possible military involvement against Tehran.

What is 'Doomsday Plane'?

The E-4B Nightwatch is designed to function as a flying command centre in the event of a national emergency, including nuclear war.

Built to keep the US President, Secretary of Defense, and senior military leaders connected and in control, the aircraft earned its “doomsday” nickname due to its role in worst-case scenarios like nuclear conflict or large-scale homeland attacks.

It famously took to the skies during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to ensure continuity of command.

What are the plane's key features?

The E-4B is heavily shielded against electromagnetic pulses, nuclear radiation and cyberattacks. Its capabilities include:

• 67 satellite dishes and antennas for global communication
• In-flight refueling to allow continuous operation for up to a week
• A maximum airborne time of over 35 hours
• Three internal decks with a briefing room, command centre, sleeping quarters, and rest areas
• The ability to launch retaliatory nuclear strikes if required

Nicknamed the “Flying Pentagon,” the E-4B can carry over 100 personnel and is built to function even in the most hostile environments.

On Tuesday, the plane took off from Bossier City at 5.56 pm ET and flew along the coastline. It circled near the Virginia-North Carolina border and landed at Joint Base Andrews at 10.01pm. This sparked some frenzy online and speculation about a possible American intervention in the conflict.

Why was this flight considered unusual?

Although the US Air Force operates four E-4Bs and flies them regularly to maintain readiness, Tuesday’s flight drew attention for multiple reasons:

It used an unusual callsign: “ORDER01” instead of the typical “ORDER6”, the New York Post reported.

Its flight path was atypical, looping around the East Coast and skirting Virginia and North Carolina before landing

The mission came just hours after President Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender”.

The timing, combined with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejecting US demand and warning of “irreparable damage” if Washington intervenes militarily, raised questions about whether the flight was part of an escalated readiness posture.

Link to the Middle East conflict?

While US officials have not confirmed the intent behind the E-4B's deployment, military watchers and foreign policy analysts believe the move reflects enhanced security precautions amid worsening regional instability.

Donald Rumsfeld, former Secretary of Defense under George W Bush, frequently used the E-4B. More recently, current US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the crew in March 2025. The aircraft remains a critical tool for national defense and government continuity.

Notably, the US Air Force is also moving forward with a $13 billion program to replace the aging E-4B fleet.