By STACY LIBERATORE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: 12:44 BST, 18 June 2025 | Updated: 13:12 BST, 18 June 2025

President Donald Trump’s emergency command aircraft was caught making a mysterious flight from Louisiana to  Maryland on Tuesday.

The Boeing E-4 ‘Nightwatch’, also known as the ‘Doomsday plane,’ serves as a flying command post for key officials during times of crisis, particularly designed to survive a nuclear attack and coordinate military actions.

The craft took off from Bossier City at 5:56pm ET, traveled along the coast, looped around the border of Virginia and North Carolina, before landing at Joint Base Andrews at 10:01pm.

The flight lasted over four hours, sparking online speculation, especially after users noticed a never-before-seen callsign, ORDER01, instead of the usual ORDER6. 

Some observers believe 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.’ 

At least 224 people have been killed in Iran since Israel launched a bombing campaign last week, aiming to disrupt the country’s nuclear ambitions. 

This is a developing story… More updates to come. 

The Boeing E-4 'Nightwatch', also known as the 'Doomsday plane,' serves as a flying command post for key officials during times of crisis, particularly designed to survive a nuclear attack and coordinate military actions

The Boeing E-4 ‘Nightwatch’, also known as the ‘Doomsday plane,’ serves as a flying command post for key officials during times of crisis, particularly designed to survive a nuclear attack and coordinate military actions

The craft took off from Shreveport at 5:56pm ET, traveled along the coast, looped around the border of Virginia and North Carolina, before landing at Joint Base Andrews at 10:01pm

The craft took off from Shreveport at 5:56pm ET, traveled along the coast, looped around the border of Virginia and North Carolina, before landing at Joint Base Andrews at 10:01pm

The Doomsday plane took off from Barksdale Air Force Base. However, the craft is traditionally stored at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.

It can be deployed to other bases for operational readiness and in support of various missions.

Past missions included transporting FEMA crews and acting as a command post during Hurricane Opal in 1995. 

A plane was also reportedly used as a safe haven for President George W Bush after the 9/11 attacks. 

The US has a total of four E-4B aircraft, featuring unique capabilities that cannot be duplicated by any other aircraft used by the Air Force.

They have thermal and nuclear shielding, and are capable of withstanding nuclear blasts, electromagnetic effects and cyber attacks. 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.

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 are outfitted as complete command centers for the president and his top officials, including the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the case of nuclear war or national emergency

The planes are outfitted as complete command centers for the president and his top officials, including the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the case of nuclear war or national emergency

Tensions have surged following reports that Trump is prepared to support Israel's military efforts against Iran , demanding Tehran's 'unconditional surrender'

Tensions have surged following reports that Trump is prepared to support Israel’s military efforts against Iran , demanding Tehran’s ‘unconditional surrender’

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.

 

:
Trump’s ‘Doomsday Plane’ makes unusual trip as Iran war fears escalate

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