By R. L. Harvey

Oklahoma City – The skies over Oklahoma City recently hosted a rare and awe-inspiring sight: the Boeing E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post, commonly known as the “Doomsday Plane.” This impressive aircraft, designed to serve as a secure command center during national emergencies, is a testament to the United States’ preparedness and technological prowess.

The E-4B, often referred to as the National Airborne Operations Center, is equipped with state-of-the-art systems to ensure it remains operational even in the direst circumstances. This flying command center can direct military operations and ensure communication between national leaders during emergencies. It is protected against electromagnetic pulses, ensuring it remains operational even in the event of a nuclear explosion. At least one E-4B is always on alert, ready to take off at a moment’s notice. The plane can stay airborne for up to 12 hours without refueling, and with aerial refueling, it can remain in the air indefinitely. The main deck is divided into six functional compartments, including a conference room, briefing room, and operations team area.

Fort Smith – Starting tomorrow, the skies over Fort Smith, Arkansas, will witness the agility and adaptability of the F-35s as they begin a two-week training exercise at Fort Chaffee. This premier training site is renowned for its extensive facilities and challenging environments, making it an ideal location for such exercises.

Fort Chaffee is a 65,000-acre premier training site used by various defense components for maneuver training, live fire exercises, and urban combat training. Within Fort Chaffee, the Razorback Range is a 1,000-acre area designated for training joint terminal attack controllers and will be used for the F-35 and F-16 exercises. These exercises are designed to enhance pilots’ agility and adaptability, crucial for modern combat scenarios. The training center at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith supports F-35 pilots from various countries, including Singapore, Switzerland, and Poland.

While the Doomsday Plane ensures our leaders can command from the skies, the F-35s at Fort Chaffee are busy perfecting their dance moves. After all, in the world of military aviation, it’s all about staying light on your feet and ready for anything. So next time you see these birds in the sky, remember: they’re not just flying, they’re preparing for the ultimate performance.