240515-F-PG806-1029 A U.S. Air Force E-4B assigned to the 595th Command and Control Group, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., flies on a training sortie over the Midwest, May, 15, 2024. The E-4B is a militarized version of the Boeing 747-200, consisting of four engines, a swept-wing design, and capable of long-range, high-altitude operations and in-flight air refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Codie Trimble)
Aerial refueling Test pilots and personnel from the 418th Flight Test Squadron, out of Edwards Air Force Base, California, conducted aerial refueling testing with a KC-46 Pegasus and an E-4B Nightwatch, out of Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, in the skies over Southern California, April 4. (Air Force photo by Christian Turner)
E-4B National Airborne Operations Center 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. Pictured: A U.S. Air Force E-4B National Airborne Operations Center turns to align itself for takeoff Aug. 27, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Nicknamed “Nightwatch,” the Boeing 747 serves as a survivable mobile command post for the president of the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
E-4B National Airborne Operations Center 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. Pictured: AF File Image
Mission extended A 595th Command and Control Group E-4B receives fuel from a 126th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135R Stratotanker over the midwestern United States, May 15, 2024. The E-4B, known as the “Nightwatch,” is protected against the effects of electromagnetic pulse and has an electrical system designed to support advanced electronics and a wide variety of communications equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Codie Trimble)
E-4B National Airborne Operations Center 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. Pictured: A U.S. Air Force E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft takes off from Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, July 10, 2019. The E-4B is protected against the effects of an electromagnetic pulse and has an electrical system designed to support advanced electronics and a wide variety of communications equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Skovo)
E-4B National Airborne Operations Center 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. Pictured: A U.S. Air Force E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft takes off from Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, July 10, 2019. The E-4B is capable of seating more than 100 people including a joint-service team, an Air Force flight crew, maintenance and security components, a communications team and selected augmentees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Skovo)
E-4B An Air Force E-4B aircraft approaches Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 28, 2018, during Defense Secretary James N. Mattis’s seventh trip to the Indo-Pacific region. Mattis is here to visit senior Japanese government leaders to reaffirm the importance of the U.S. -Japan Alliance and to discuss cooperation on a variety of regional security issues. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)
240515-F-PG806-1037 A U.S. Air Force E-4B assigned to the 595th Command and Control Group, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., prepares to receive fuel from a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 126th Air Refueling Squadron, Wisconsin Air National Guard, May, 15, 2024. The E-4B is divided into six functional areas: a national command authority work area, conference room, briefing room, an operations team (battle staff) work area, communications area and a rest area, including seating for up to 111 crew members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Codie Trimble)
E-4B from Global Strike Command An E-4B from Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., is refueled by a KC-10 Extender from Travis AFB, Calif., during a local mission June 12, 2017. In case of national emergency or destruction of ground command and control centers, the E-4B provides a highly survivable command, control and communications center to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders and coordinate actions by civil authorities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicole Leidholm)