Offutt E-4B Nightwatch planes moved to Lincoln airport
March 12, 2021
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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) The U.S. military’s four “doomsday” planes have been moved to their new temporary home in Lincoln from Offutt Air Force Base south of Omaha as the base undergoes a $144 million runway replacement.
The E-4B Nighwatch aircraft serve as aerial command centers for top military officials in case of a catastrophic national emergency, such as a nuclear attack.
Air Force Lt. Col. Derek Ligon, deputy commander of the 595th Command and Control Group, said the move to Lincoln’s airport was the logical choice, as it has a nearly 13,000-foot runway that can handle the big planes. And it’s only about an hour’s drive from the base.