This week saw the landing of the US’ ‘Doomsday plane’ in Washington DC, which later touched down at LAX on Thursday (January 8), raising concerns amid increasing global tensions.
The aircraft in question, the Boeing E-4B ‘Nightwatch’, is often referred to as the ‘Doomsday plane’ and is utilized during emergencies, such as the events of 9/11.
This is one of four E-4B aircraft in the US fleet, acting as a command post for the president and top military officials in times of major disasters, including nuclear conflict.
The plane is designed to withstand nuclear explosions and electromagnetic pulse, with the US Air Force clarifying: “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.”
While the recent activity of the aircraft has caused unease, it should be noted that the fleet conducts routine flights throughout the year.
According to flight tracking sites, the plane took off from Omaha, Nebraska on Tuesday (January 6), before landing at Camp Springs, near Washington DC.
A YouTube livestream from the channel Airline Videos captured the ‘doomsday plane’ landing at Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday.
The specific purpose behind these two flights remains uncertain.
The movement of the ‘doomsday plane’ coincides with the US seizing a ship known as The Marinera after it interacted with a US-sanctioned blockade near South America.
Tensions are escalating in that region due to the US military’s presence in Venezuela, which has global ramifications.
The situation intensified following the capture of President Nicolàs Maduro, who has since been taken to New York to face criminal charges.
Additionally, there have been reports of strikes in Caracas, with areas such as a military airfield in the city center and the main army base of Fuerte Tiuna being targeted.
As The Marinera was detained while navigating waters near Iceland, Russia’s Transport Ministry stated: “In accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation applies in the high seas, and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states.”
Russian lawmaker Alexia Zhuravlev has reportedly advised Vladimir Putin to ‘attack with torpedoes’ and ‘sink a couple of American Coast Guard boats’.