The E-4B: America's Doomsday Plane

[@kfeltenberger]

Back when the E-4 was still stationed at Andrews AFB, my dad took me down for a tour of the base. It was all pretty cool until the PIO that was hosting the tour pointed to an E-4 and explained what it was and if the sirens ever went off and the flashing emergency lights activated at the hanger that "something bad" had just happened and it was likely that the end was coming rather quickly courtesy of the Soviets. A few minutes later all hell broke loose and sirens went off, the emergency lights flashed, and the crew scrambled to the E-4 for an emergency launch. The PIO had this deer in the headlights look on his face and my dad asked, rather calmly, "So...are we all f*cked, is this a test, or is this just part of the tour?" Turns out someone decided it would be a "good thing" to have an emergency readiness drill since the President was out of town. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen!

[@crosshairs007]

That moment when your heart sinks into your boots.

[@spacedwarfbrewing2385]

I'm sure everyone hated that officer. Wonder how many got in trouble for continuing to work but breaking a rule at the same time.

[@Elon_Marz]

Lol. Cool dad. Mine would have said something similar.✈

[@AlexBerman1]

That's amazing! 🤣🤣🤣

[@jesseericdodier]

Great story - thank you for sharing!

[@aerotube7291]

As long as simon has an onboard studio and supply of prewritten scripts Im happy

[@jennyanydots2389]

You don't deserve to be happy!!

[@mwolkove]

Probably a good idea to make sure there's a basement.

[@davidf5609]

What would happen if you're not happy?

[@jennyanydots2389]

@@mwolkove Something a pedo would say

[@yjwrangler7819]

Agreed. If he had a post written script that would be terrible.

[@Kilo-Mike]

This was actually tested for EMPs at Kirkland AFB. They have a gigantic wooden platform that suspended the E-4B and AF1 and B-52s etc. They bombarded it with all kinds of microwave eletromagnetic radiation for emp testing and proofing.

[@sebastiandomingos335]

What's the difference between AF1 and the E4bs? Like is one slightly better?

[@Kriss_L]

One of the better E-4B videos.

[@mahina1963]

This is "Hope for the best, Plan for the worst" at it's highest level of engagement

[@kentswan3230]

the question then becomes how many of the in flight refueling aircraft are also emp protected?

[@AnotherPointOfView944]

they are old, so there you go.

[@kentswan3230]

@@AnotherPointOfView944 Exactly

[@sichere]

The bombers intended to drop nuclear weapons did not suffer from EMP problems.

[@kentswan3230]

@@sichere fully understood. The issue that I'm wondering about is whether the various current air refueling aircraft have been hardened to the point that a Nuke EMP won't disable the critical flight control or refueling systems even if it knocks out less critical things. This hardening also applies to the newer fly-by-wire/glass cockpits and systems and their airborne munitions. If your munitions or attack systems are compromised then you're pretty much only a target. If you can't mid-air refuel you end up having to choose a surviving airbase land, refuel, and get back in the sky. Doesn't seem like a desirable scenario for a WW3 environment. Then again, if such an EMP were deployed then the entire nuclear triad would probably be unloaded which would mean the refueling would soon become moot. Funny things happen when you think things through.

[@Elon_Marz]

@@kentswan3230 ADHD? 😜

[@ShukenFlash]

I got to see these flying overhead recently when I was working out in Omaha near Offutt AFB.

[@foxglow6798]

Yeah these have flown over my place in Colorado like 5 times this year

[@dahobdahob]

Oh cool. My dad was one of the designers of the original VLF TWA for TACAMO. When I was a kid, he used to fly out of Waco in a modified C-130 to test the 5-mile antenna and the circling maneuver they had to do to get the wire more or less vertical. He has a story about how ice build up on the antenna would sometimes make it too heavy for the motoes to reel it back in. The test pilots would waggle the plane up and down to "whip crack" the wire and knock enough ice off to retrieve it. Otherwise they had to cut it loose to fall into the gulf.

[@JM-wf2to]

Hell ya. haven't listened yet, but I spent 4 years as a crew chief on those stationed at offutt AFB.

[@jennyanydots2389]

Crew chef is just another name for diddler.

[@JM-wf2to]

​@@jennyanydots2389lmao

[@BestDARNComputers]

Seen these things refueling over northeast Missouri many times over the years. Nothing beats the time I saw 2 B2's refueling. That was about the coolest thing ever. Also saw an A10 flying around whiteman AFB when I was heading there for a test on base when I was attempting to get into the USAF as an officer many a year ago.

[@jennyanydots2389]

@@BestDARNComputers I flew the B2 that took out Osama so that beats the time you think you saw something

[@Wasteland88]

​@@jennyanydots2389🤡

[@JMC556]

As a continuity nerd, I love this.

[@lifefindsaway483]

What is a continuity nerd? Actually just curious. :)

[@makthnife]

@@lifefindsaway483Continuity of Government…how the government continuties during times of crisis

[@commandophoenix605]

You too bro ? nice !

[@JMC556]

@@commandophoenix605 🫡

[@JM-wf2to]

15:41 shout out Sgt Hudson sitting pilot seat, Sgt ( Something ) Cross sitting at the FE table and i am pretty sure thats at the time Sra Pantfoeder watching on. Maintenance team doing engine runs. Guy in co pilot seat was a jet engine mechanic whos name escapes.

[@JM-wu8bh]

Thank you for your hard work! ❤ I equate MILSTAR Sat #4 to my ex-girlfriend's left eye. (You get the joke!)

[@singemfrc]

Got to see one of these do an aerial demonstration at an air show a few years ago. One of the coolest things I've ever seen in the air.

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

The E-4B plays a prominent role in two motion pictures. In the 1990 HBO film By Dawn's Early Light, following a nuclear strike by the Soviets, the aircraft serves as a flying platform for the presumed president, the ex-Secretary of the Interior, who is played by Darren McGavin. The aircraft is pursued by Boeing EC-135 "Looking Glass", which successfully intercepts.

[@callsigncthulhu8579]

A great film!

[@sebastiandomingos335]

​@@callsigncthulhu8579 Definitely great! I always loved it and all the info it gives about B52 crew and chain of command.

[@callsigncthulhu8579]

@@sebastiandomingos335 I recently managed to pick up a copy of the novel that the film is based on, Trinity’s Child by William Prochnau. Well worth a read if you can track it down.

[@sebastiandomingos335]

@@callsigncthulhu8579 I'll definitely need a look 👍

[@milk-it]

Love this aircraft. My solely manual caliber Omega Speedmaster will still be ticking after the EMP. Too bad to those with electronic watches.

[@davidmohr4606]

Used to be called the NEACP: National Emergency Airborne Command Post; Nicknamed KNEECAP...

[@anthonykaiser974]

One of my instructors at Ft Leavenworth was on the NEACP mission in the late 90s. Really opens your eyes about what goes on at the national level.

[@danelder6846]

​@@anthonykaiser974The name was changed to the National Airborne Ooerations Center (NAOC) in 1994. The mission hasn't been called NEACP for 30 years.

[@anthonykaiser974]

@danelder6846 it was still NEACP when my CAS3 instructor (took that in late 2000, got to watch the "hanging chad" election while at Ft Leavenworth) was on it, which may have been about the time it changed. I don't recall exactly but the "Kneecap" term stuck in my head. He was Army aviation.

[@danelder6846]

@anthonykaiser974 Sorry, you're wrong. The name changed to NAOC in 1994 just before I was assigned to NAOC, the same year. I served as the Superintendent, Operations Team One, National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC), The Joint Staff, from 22 November 1994 to 1 October 1998. It was never NEACP during my four years and I never wore the NEACP patch on my flight suits or jackets. I wore the NAOC patches and it was NAOC. While we retained the nickname/call sign "Nightwatch" it was and is NAOC since 1994. I believe as a former team superintendent, I should know what the name of the organzation was called. Also, this can be easily found on various websites.

[@anthonykaiser974]

@danelder6846 quit making a mountain out of a molehill. I don't recall dates a retired fellow officer served with NEACP/NAOC. Also, read what I said and quit reading into it.

[@13thravenpurple94]

Excellent video 👍 Thank you 💜

[@jakelandry5645]

I used to be stationed across the ramp from this thing. It's insane inside

[@jesseberg3271]

I wish you'd talked a little more about how they actually make something EMP proof.

[@OldMadScientist]

That information is probably top secret.

[@M3PH11]

the simple answer is under the outer skin there is essentially a faraday cage. same with the engine housings. The full answer is extremely classified

[@jesseberg3271]

@@OldMadScientist I figured that the 1970s version of the tech was probably declassified by now.

[@usonumabeach300]

There are things from WW2 that are still classified

[@haroldhenderson2824]

To give you similar example, with something unrelated. Place your transistor radio (without batteries) between two metal pie tins. The radio SHALL NOT touch the metal! Place this object inside your cars trunk, next to (but not touching) your own hat covered in aluminum foil.

[@smithandshortdogs]

During the Bush 2 administration NAOC was at my base all the time, to support the Crawford TX. Ranch. Taking care of them was a right pain in the butt.

[@foxglow6798]

NAOC?

[@smithandshortdogs]

@foxglow6798 the E4B is the plane. Nightwatch is the callsign. NAOC is the mission.

[@foxglow6798]

@@smithandshortdogs ahhh I see I see. Didn’t know that last part.

[@smithandshortdogs]

@@foxglow6798 National Airborne Operating Center Used to be National Emergency Command Post (NECP).

[@danelder6846]

​@@smithandshortdogsNational Airborne Operations Center.

[@K4rt80y]

A made for HBO movie, "By Dawn's Early Light," featured the E-4 prominently.

[@pootyting3311]

James Earl Jones was badass in that movie. Excellent movie overall for a perspective that was more geared towards leadership and military, but I felt still seemed grounded in human concerns as well as tactics. The TACAMO planes get some mention as well, doing their part to relay orders to the US Navy. 👍👍 I ought to find the book "Trinity's Child" at the library, for which the movie was mostly based. 👍👍

[@liquidocelot5976]

GET ME A REAL CIGARETTE!!!

[@MacGod]

FYI, at at 1:41, you have EPM instead of EMP

[@jonniez62]

Looking Glass is a completely different mission and paired with the PACCS mission.

[@68spc]

It's funny to hear him say TACAMO.... it's TAC-A-MO

[@pierreplourde]

You need to watch By Dawn’s Early Light, or read the book on which that movie is based, Trinity’s Child by William Prochnau.

[@jennyanydots2389]

Who is "you"? Simon? He's just reading words, that dude could care less what's going on as just a stuipid dumb faced presenter. Dude can't really even do maths, his sister-wife has to manage his life pretty much entirely. Off camera the dude is a total slag... no respect no faith in jesus brugh.

[@carlstanland5333]

Sooooooo are the refuel tankers hardened against EMP?

[@deimosvoralius2988]

My thoughts. The bird will only be as good in the long-term as the logistics that survive.

[@NeedsLessWedge]

The old tri tac shelters for digital switches had emp protection. A honeycomb aluminum skeleton under the outer fiberglass skin and some fort if filter material

[@j.a.weishaupt1748]

I can’t believe it. Not a single stupid spelling mistake in the thumbnail. Well done guys! *edit: never mind. You wrote “the the world”…

[@robsquared2]

lol, the downsides of chasing $$$ over all else.

[@philipemmons3580]

Good eye, didn't even notice.

[@jennyanydots2389]

Simon can't read or write so he has to higher people... but he spends most of his money on benzos and cocaine so he can only afford to higher homeless people as writers and editors.

[@drg9812]

The thumbnail guy has one job too...

[@goosenotmaverick1156]

They used to be slip ups, now it's just habit

[@417jumps3]

Yeah used aircraft wouldn’t be full of bugs and things that new build aircraft might…. UNTIL NOW!!! Thanks Simon!!!

[@tylerreid1789]

I actually got to work on the E-4B, the amount of wiring in it is absolutely insane.

[@holobolo1661]

I think you'll find it is the captain who is "at the helm". They would also have more than one flight crew.

[@Dark-Lord-Of-The-Sith]

I live near Wright-Patt and see these planes frequently. I actually saw one last week while I was at work.

[@OakKnobFarm]

the mile-long antenna would be to produce ultra low-frequency broadcasts right? is that why it can contact submarines? New episode request!!!

[@JM-wf2to]

Yes. That is what our long and short wires were for. They were/probably still are wildly unreliable and often were unable to be reeled back in during testing. .

[@Kriss_L]

ELF

[@danelder6846]

​@@Kriss_LLF/VLF. Not ELF.

[@old_guard2431]

Captain Obvious sez: First rate research, writing, editing and narration. Carry on.

[@neuropilot7310]

A couple of minor errors/issues, the "National Command Authority" refers to the pair of the President (Commander-in-Chief), and the Secretary of Defense. Also, if BOTH VC-25As are not available, one of the E-4Bs are sometimes even closer to the President, so if a mechanical breakdown occurs, they can transport the President safely. Also they could use the C-32A (Air Force Two) or the C-37B (VIP Gulfstream G550) as a backup, if the second VC-25A isn't available, so they have another option available.

[@bryanmontgomery996]

TCAMO - "tack-ah-mow" Take Charge And Move Out!

[@BarbaraJikai]

I keep hearing 'Evil Bee', which makes sense to my mind too.

[@zacnewman7140]

The fact that you didn't end with some variation of "and now his watch is ended" is a travesty.

[@ignitionfrn2223]

0:50 - Chapter 1 - Design & development 6:50 - Chapter 2 - Specs & capabilities 15:10 - Chapter 3 - Relevance & replacement

[@Nathan-vt1jz]

For dealing with EMP’s wouldn’t the US put out a warning and shut off the grid to minimize emp damage? I know that’s the basic plan for a major solar event, though we’d have more warning time with a solar event. Key sites would be hardened and the grid would be restored afterwards.

[@everettputerbaugh3996]

Quite likely. EMPs take out the generators that are ONLINE -- and a whole lot of other s**t (like your cell and any automobile built since the 1980's. See the movie "The Day After" for a depiction).

[@Nathan-vt1jz]

@@everettputerbaugh3996 Agreed, though I’m sure it all depends on the strength of the EMP. It would be interesting to see what ways we could harden more of our technology. It makes sense that we develop that ability for both defense and the growing space exploration.

[@YHBW1001]

Are the tankers EMP proof too?

[@calestern4486]

Probably mildly but tankers are cheaper and more abundant. They have them spread all over the world in regular use so the chance of all of them being incapacitated is almost impossible and if they are all hit the war is over already..... cause the world is over

[@hennessy916]

My guess is that the people who came up with it already thought of simple problems and have solutions

[@russvoight1167]

While stationed at Ellsworth AFB, SD in the late 1970s the E-4 landed at the base

[@Lotzfeldt]

@Simonwesler you should make a video about structures that are over or under engineered and by how much margin

[@manicmechanic448]

Prior to the 1970s cars where immune to EMPs.

[@briskandpepsi]

@megaprojects Are the Boeing refuelers protected from EMP’s as well? Would be a huge oversight if not…

[@smith5312]

So if there is an EMP the E4 can fly due to protection so how do the KC135s even launch after an EMP has fried their electronics or if the KC135 is flying during an EMP ? Great to have a flying communication center that can be refueled in flight but only if the tankers can get to it.

[@CorpusCrispy]

How is this entire video not classified?

[@jamesbodnarchuk3322]

Stand easy Would you like a coffee sir? Confidence is high The day after film

[@nigelyorkshiremanwadeley6263]

So the Soviets will have the home base as a priority target. They will have the majority of USAF bases targeted. They will have as many refuelling depots as possible targeted. It seems awfully difficult to keep all these aircraft mobile and functioning in a nuclear melee...

[@geodkyt]

Literally *every single airport in the world* that has a fuel farm for jet aircraft or turboprops, is a "refueling depot" for these planes. They just run on Jet A or the current military jet fuel blends (currently, the US calls it JP8, which is basically Jet A with additional deicers and anticorrosion additives). It has turbofan engines- they not only can use ANY commercial or military kerosene based jet fuel, they can literally run on kerosene. And tankers aren't concentrated in any one base, or even several bases - they tend to be scattered about in penny packets, because they don't fly as "squadrons" (even though they are organized in such administratively). And in case of heightened tensions, we disperse the tankers not currently in use, even at civilian airports. An adversary would have to hit every single airport in North America that can take an airliner to cut it off from fuel.

[@somniferousSirenSocial]

... Now they just need to make it fly in space.

[@catatonicbug7522]

Makes me think about the plans for communication integration with the Sentinel missile program, set to replace the Minuteman III system in the "near" future. I wonder how that process is put together...

[@dustybunny6716]

I used to guard those things. Fucking hate them. 14 hours in the snow at night. God damned Nebrasksa...

[@The_McFortner]

Once you get Offutt, you never get off it. I remember the winters working flight line on the RC-135s in the early 90s. Damn blizzards were a bit rough.

[@Kriss_L]

Best thing about Offutt was getting to stay home for snow days.

[@The_McFortner]

@@Kriss_L Snowcall? Snowcall!

[@praesentius]

And what about the smell from that rendering plant in the summer? *shudders* Oh, but at least you have access to the flight kitchen for some decent grub on the cheap.

[@The_McFortner]

@@praesentius Oh, dear God that smell. It's been 31 years and I still shudder thinking about it.

[@timmotel5804]

The E-7 WEDGETAIL Type has been in active service for years in the Australian Military. I don't understand why it's taking years longer for the U.S. to have theirs "reinvented"? and placed in service. IMO, based on things that I have read, Bureaucracy & "Bean Counters" rather than Engineers & Quality Control, at Boeing are the Problem for the U.S. NOT being able to "get on board" with the latest AWACS. Politicians Too. As is historically & Sadly True, The U.S. has continued to fall further behind over the past several decades in regards to National Security, in most Arenas, due to the above mentioned Problems. As always Simon, Very Good. PEACE

[@KyleThill]

How about returning to this to document what the crews do during their shifts waiting for that crisis. It's certainly costing a fortune, it should be seen.

[@asxphxss]

What are you, the budget Kyle Hill???

[@anthonymarcello1265]

Impressive stuff... but do the doors stay on in flight?

[@thou_dog]

"...and the E-4B Night Watch will have finally fulfilled its mission." I was sure this was going to be "...and the E-4B will finally have reached its End of Watch."

[@CromemcoZ2]

"...without ever serving the purpose it was made for." No the purpose was always nuclear deterrence, not nuclear war.

[@newrev9er]

He said exactly this as the closing line of the episode.

[@cruisinguy6024]

Its purpose was for the US to drag its metaphorical nutsack across Ivan’s face 😂

[@themotionbrickness]

“This is the goal of any aircraft with the same purpose as the night watch”

[@MrJLCharbonneau]

I didn’t even have to use my E4-B… I gotta say it was a good day.

[@ryanm797]

Also shows a picture of a Pegasus tanker doing refueling

[@Mrgunsngear]

🇺🇸

[@Gav_Jam]

This plane came to the UK during riat 2022 it was mighty impressive

[@grapeshot]

I guess the plane could be of use during a zombie apocalypse😂

[@jennyanydots2389]

Is that code for something shifty brugh?

[@davidterrey4458]

Only if the crew are vaccinated against the H7D3 virus.

[@zata1197]

I would think, given that if zombies were real they'd be former humans, that any plane would be useful in the zombie apocalypse, considering they wouldn't be able to fly lol

[@jennyanydots2389]

@@zata1197 Zombies are real... we call them gen alpha

[@zata1197]

@@jennyanydots2389 ok boomer

[@Indyofthedead]

Oh! You mean an emp!

[@jsinope2786]

I’m sure they have a small fleet of tankers resistant to EMPs as well… right? Hello?

[@conservativedemocracyenjoyer]

thats where the weeks worth of fuel comes in

[@terryhill545]

MAD

[@DaveSandine]

Best thing about this airplane is the sweet chow hall in the ramp area of flight line

[@airborneshodan]

I was in a weekend college class at Offutt afb base during the invasion of Kuwait. Someone said that Looking Glass was flying and the majority of class was concerned and two left the class.

[@YOURCAPSLOCKISON]

Saw it in CDG when President Biden came for D-Day commemoration. Super cool.

[@anthonyfrench3169]

Speaking of cool and awesome Boeing airplanes. It would be cool if you could do one on SOPHIA the 747 that was an observatory.

[@wormyboot]

I couldn't imagine attending a religious service on that plane.

[@asxphxss]

You don't.

[@Crioten]

Starfish prime?!?! Starfishes love you

[@rebeldoesplanes]

I did NOT know Simon did plane vids…

[@brkbtjunkie]

Plane: “and now my watch begins”

[@rocksnot952]

TACAMO!

[@sailinbob11]

I'm anchored just off the coast from MacDill Airforce Base, Tampa Fl. Those KC-130 tankers are flying continuously. Nice to see Special Forces jumping out of C-130s and helicopters too.

[@jenniferhof9448]

Do the current issues with other Boeing airplanes affect these planes at all? Or are these maintained much more than the standard airline would do on a regular basis?

[@nicholasgoodfellow5774]

the boeing issues stem from that bald fella in the court videos. when his posse took over some years ago, maybe 8 years i dont actually know, they ruined the quality control. so if these planes are older than 12 years old and havent been messed with since, they most likely wont have any problems. plus the military would be doing their own quality assurances. they would know, these guys have whole rooms that can x ray trucks in one sweep, im sure they have a plane one too

[@fatcamp907]

There's one of these sitting on the runway next to me. Should I be worried? 😂

[@coconutsmarties]

*Boeing 737 Max: America's Doomsday Plane*

[@pammmmm]

Same thought

[@noblentnt4217]

Lol nice

[@reggiep75]

😂💀😂💀😂 🔥🔥🔥

[@waldundwiesenandi4079]

😂

[@christophergoodrich4120]

😂

[@Juganort81]

Still no Sydney Harbor Bridge video?

[@stevojohn]

Are the KC-135 Stratotankers EMP proof?

[@vic5015]

If these airframes are approaching 50 tears old, surely they need replacement.

[@bugtusslealien3931]

Did you perform this presentation with one breath? 😂😂

[@garyclark3843]

They called it the Nightwatch? Don't tell Michael Garibaldi.

[@Kriss_L]

Nightwatch is the name of the plane. 1st ACCS is the USAF sqaudron that the planes belong to, and is operated and maintained by. NAOC is the joint battlestaff that embarks on the aircraft.

[@garyclark3843]

@@Kriss_L Clearly, you don't get the JOKE. It's a Babylon 5 reference.

[@Kriss_L]

@@garyclark3843 Nope, I got it. I just played it straight.

[@drg9812]

How are "High ranking military personnel" - not VIPs?

[@RJEvans44]

They think they're important, that doesn't make them important.

[@tabletopwarrior]

I used to guard that aircraft when I was active duty Air Force

[@brendan12882]

9:35 that's not what the mesh is for, and that's not what an EMP would do to windows without mesh.

[@broj77564]

Music needs more gain in the mix and way more repetitive beeps that sound like my camera's low battery warning!

[@ryananderson8511]

I saw that plane landed Peterson Air Force Base a couple times Always a little bit creepy

[@velzekt]

@1:40 uhh...what's an EPM?

[@Polo-Hat]

Engine Performance Monitor

[@EyesOfByes]

EPM

[@danielteacher4049]

How is it going to be refueled if all the other planes are grounded?

[@DavidFMartin]

I doubt that the aircraft has a pilot and co-pilot alone, not if it’s going to fly for upwards of a week, it would need a minimum of two crews rotating them resting one at a time. 3 flight crews would probably be more likely to take into account potential illnesses of one vital crew member.

[@cruisinguy6024]

It has quarters for a spare flight crew, I watched an interview and walk through tour guided by one of the pilots and he mentioned them bringing extra flight crew for longer missions

[@danelder6846]

The alert bird has one flight crew.

[@alanf3611]

Over the 24 hour cycle is there a specific flight plan or path the aircraft have to follow, departure and destination?

[@matthijshoogeland7893]

huh, I already wrote a comment about this aircraft on a previous megaprojects vid

[@gansior4744]

Mfw Megaprojects, Dirty Civilian and Brass Facts, all talk about EMPs in a span of few days

[@joenewton2021]

Where do they land when the planets decimated

[@BobAbc0815]

Nuclear War would also stop you from using all the Bonus Miles you collect on this Plane.

[@robsquared2]

Wow the end of the world is sounding good right about...8 years ago.

[@gerrywalsh5766]

Crystal Palace

[@johnweb7055]

13:46 you mispronounced TACAMO.

[@MangoPango1973]

Does it have an escape capsule for the president?