Monroe Posted June 24, 2017 Share Posted June 24, 2017 So much for 'Doomsday' ... what about today ? ... right now ! From the article: "One of the planes is typically kept running at all times, with the engine running 24 hours a day at the Offutt base when the president is in the US. In the event of an emergency, the plane is ready to take off almost immediately." http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4634414/Pentagons-nuke-proof-Doomsday-planes-damaged-tornado.html Tornado knocks out half the Pentagon's fleet of nuke-proof 'Doomsday' planes Two E4-B Boeing 747s damaged by a tornado at Nebraska's Offutt Air Force Base Pentagon maintains a fleet of four of the 'Doomsday' flying command posts They transport the secretary of defense abroad and serve as flying fortresses Designed to remain in air for days at a time and withstand EM and thermal blasts By Keith Griffith For Dailymail.com and Afp Updated 24 June 2017 Two of the Pentagon's four specially reinforced 'Doomsday' planes, designed to withstand the heat from a nuclear blast, have been grounded after being damaged by a tornado. The Air Force said Friday that two E4-B Boeing 747s were damaged when a tornado whipped through Nebraska's Offutt Air Force Base with little advance warning on June 16. Built in the 1970s during the Cold War, the planes are essentially flying command centers that can refuel in the sky and are designed to remain airborne for days on end in times of crisis. The two damaged 'Doomsday' planes were reportedly parked in hangars during the storm, but their tails were exposed to strong winds. The Air Force has four E4-Bs, which also shuttle the secretary of defense around the world. 'Two E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft stationed at Offutt AFB received storm damage,' Air Force spokesman Colonel Pat Ryder said. Not including the damage to aircraft, the tornado caused an estimated $7million to $10million in damage to the base facilities, 55th Wing spokesman Drew Nystrom told the Omaha World Herald. Additionally, seven RC-135 reconnaissance planes suffered minor damage in the tornado and another needed an inspection. The E-4B is a 747 that has been reinforced to protect against the electromagnetic pulse from a nuclear blast and is shielded from a thermal blast. The planes, also called 'National Airborne Operation Centers' when they are in-flight, have special equipment and have the capability to communicate with anyone from anywhere in the world and support analysts and strategists on the flight. ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now