Rare Sight of the US Doomsday Plane Sparks Global Interest
The US Doomsday Plane, E-4B Nightwatch, made a rare landing at LAX with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on board, likely for routine travel and training amid global tensions.
On 6 January 2026, one of the most secretive planes in the United States military made a rare public appearance. The Boeing E-4B Nightwatch, also known as the Doomsday Plane, landed at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for the first time in over 50 years, attracting curiosity across social media.
The plane began its journey from Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and first stopped at Camp Springs, Maryland, near Washington, D.C. Two days later, it was filmed landing at LAX. Usually, these planes operate from quiet military bases and avoid public view, so seeing it over a busy city like Los Angeles was highly unusual.
The E-4B Nightwatch is a flying command centre, designed to keep the U.S. government operational during a national crisis, including a nuclear attack. It is specially protected against nuclear electromagnetic pulses and can carry up to 111 people, including the President and Secretary of Defense. With mid-air refueling, it can stay airborne for several days. The plane has six functional areas, including a command deck, conference rooms, operations area, communications area, and rest zone.
Reports confirmed that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was on board during the trip, visiting military factories and recruiting new soldiers. Social media personality and activist Laura Loomer also accompanied him and shared photos online. The US government described the flight as part of routine events for the Secretary’s tour, though it did not explain why the Doomsday Plane was used instead of a standard government jet.
The timing of the flight drew global attention amid rising international tensions, including the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and issues involving Iran. It also came after former President Trump had threatened to take over Greenland and pressured Cuba over oil deals. Experts note that while the plane is built for doomsday scenarios, its appearance does not mean a disaster is coming.
Military analysts believe the flight was likely routine travel, training, or a readiness drill. Since its creation during the Cold War, the E-4B has only been used in a real emergency once, during the 11 September 2001 attacks. Operating this plane is expensive, costing an estimated $160,000 per hour, but most experts agree it was likely used as a high-profile platform for the Secretary of Defense’s official tour.
