America’s ‘doomsday’ airborne command centre has been pictured being prepped for action. The E-4B Nightwatch, a situation room for the U. President in times of war, has been pictured being refuelled over southern California.
Test pilots and personnel from the 418th Flight Test Squadron, out of Edwards Air Force Base, California, conducted the aerial refuelling testing with a KC-46 Pegasus tanker in April. The Boeing E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post, the current ‘Nightwatch’ aircraft, is a strategic command and control military aircraft operated by the United States Air Force.
The E-4 series are specially modified from the Boeing 747-200B for the National Emergency Airborne Command Post program. The E-4B serves as the National Airborne Operations Center and is a key component of the National Military Command System for the President, the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The US Air Force states: “In case of national emergency or destruction of ground command and control centres, the aircraft provides a highly survivable command, control and communications centre to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders and coordinate actions by civil authorities. The conduct of E-4B operations encompasses all phases of the threat spectrum.”
