The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Monday confirmed the arrival of the United States Air Force’s E-4B aircraft, known as the “doomsday plane,” at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Sunday.
According to PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco, the plane stayed in the country overnight for “refueling and crew rest.”
“This aircraft has diplomatic clearance, but there is no VIP visit to the Philippines associated with it,” Basco said.
She added that the plane had already departed on Monday morning.
The E-4B “Nightwatch” 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.
In case of national emergency or destruction of ground command and control centers, the aircraft provides a highly survivable command, control, and communications center to direct US forces, execute emergency war orders, and coordinate actions by civil authorities.
The plane visit coincided with two incidents involving US air assets in the South China Sea.
