Sunday, June 25, 2017

Air Force Says Tornado Damaged Two “Doomsday” 747s


Story by Tara Copp, Stars and  Stripes

A tornado that struck in Omaha, Nebraska last  week damaged two of the “Doomsday” 747 aircraft that serve as the national  command center for the United States in case of a military attack, the Air Force  said Friday.

Offutt AFB, home to the nation’s four E-4B aircraft, was hit  by the tornado on June 16. The planes are used by the Secretary of Defense and  Secretary of State for international visits and maintain vital communications —  including those with the country’s nuclear missile silos and nuclear-powered 
submarines — in case of an attack.

Ten aircraft, including the two 747s,  were damaged by the tornado, said Capt. Mark Graff, an Air Force spokesman. He  said the other two 747s were not damaged by the tornado and can still be used as the national airborne operations center.

Of the base’s eight RC-135  reconnaissance aircraft, seven had minor damage, Graff said. Six of the damaged  planes have been returned to flight status, he said.

The tornado was  fast-moving, said Col. Pat Ryder, an Air Force spokesman. “They attempted to  hangar as many [planes] as they could. Obviously, some were damaged.”

Ryder said the primary E-4B — the one that is always on alert  status — was not affected and that the Air Force is still assessing the level of  damage to the two other 747s. The tornado also damaged buildings and trees on the Nebraska air base.