Donald Trump’s ‘Doomsday Plane’ makes unusual trip and it’s sparking major concern
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News
Mia Williams
Featured Image Credit: C. v. Grinsven/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News
Donald Trump's nuclear-resistant plane has made an appearance near Washington, D.C., amid threats to involve the US in escalating attacks on Iran.
The US Air Force E-4B Nightwatch is a militarised version of a Boeing 747-200, with the intention of providing maximum protection to US leadership in times of emergency.
The aircraft travelled along the coast on Tuesday (19 June), circled over Virginia and North Carolina, before heading to Washington, D.C.
Following years of brutal conflict in the Middle East, Donald Trump has addressed the possibility of the US supporting Israel in its latest attacks on Iran.
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Calling for the Iranian Supreme Leader's 'unconditional surrender', he wrote on Truth Social yesterday (18 Jun): "We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding.
"He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now."
Iran's foreign minister told Al Jazeera: "Any American intervention would be a recipe for an all-out war in the region."
The president's nuclear-resistant plane arrived just hours after his crisis meeting with advisors in the White House, concerning the conflict in Israel and Iran.
Experts have warned that the volatility of the situation between the three countries could spill into a wider war, if Trump is not careful with his actions.
And the involvement of the US has even split members within the Republican Party.
Despite the coincidental timing of the aircraft arriving in Washington, it's widely known that E-4Bs make regular flights throughout the year, to ensure they're ready to go whenever required.
What did raise eyebrows, however, was the plane flew under the call sign ORDER01 when it usually flies under ORDER6 - though it's unclear what this means.
There are four E-4Bs in total, and were designed with the intention of becoming an airborne war room for times of crisis.
The aircrafts have high altitude capabilities, and have the ability to refuel during a flight - they also provide protection against electromagnetic pulse.
At least one of the four planes is always on 24-hour alert at all times.
The E-4B has a capacity of 112 US leadership members, and comes fit with a command work area, conference room, briefing room, operations team work area, communications area, and of course - somewhere to rest.
Asked by reporters about his potential involvement in the war during a White House conference, the president dismissed conversation surrounding the very pressing issue.
"I can't say that," he said in a somewhat ambiguous statement. "I may do it, I may not do it.
"Nobody knows what I want to do. But I can say this: Iran's got a lot of trouble and wants to negotiate."