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Here's what the E-4B ‘Doomsday Plane’ was doing over California’s sky
The Boeing E-6B Mercury flew nearly two hours performing training maneuvers to maintain crew readiness for nuclear command missions, the Navy's critical airborne asset.
- On Sunday, March 8, 2026, the U.S. Navy identified a Boeing E-6B Mercury after Central Valley residents reported spotting it making approaches at Fresno Yosemite International Airport for nearly two hours.
- The U.S. Navy did not provide specifics, and experts said the flights align with routine training and deployments from Tinker Air Force Base to forward locations like Travis Air Force Base.
- Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 3 operates 16 E-6B Mercury aircraft, each measuring 150 feet and costing $141.7 million, requiring large crews and infrastructure.
- Authorities said the aircraft were in California for routine matters, with local residents and aviation enthusiasts noting their size and low altitude, prompting public alarm and online discussion.
- The aircraft is hardened against EMP and features trailing-wire antennas, underscoring its role as a survivable NC3 platform, as Retired Air Force Major General Clay Garrison explained.
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MUST SEE: ‘Doomsday Plane’ Spotted Again Flying Over Blue State
A U.S. Navy aircraft commonly referred to as the “Doomsday Plane” was spotted flying repeated circles over California’s Central Valley this week, drawing attention from residents who noticed the large jet making multiple low passes near a major airport. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft circling the area around Fresno Yosemite International Airport for nearly two hours. Some said the plane appeared to be conducting several approach attempts…
The E-6B Mercury, a special military aircraft also designed for the delivery of nuclear weapons, is slated for deployment in the Middle East. What are the aircraft's capabilities?
·Berlin, Germany
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Total News Sources12
Leaning Left2Leaning Right2Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution34% Left, 33% Center, 33% Right
Bias Distribution
- 34% of the sources lean Left, 33% of the sources are Center, 33% of the sources lean Right
34% Left
L 34%
C 33%
R 33%
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