‘Doomsday’ plane refuels at NAIA, no VIP visit — PAF

An American aircraft, famously known as the “doomsday plane,” landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Sunday for a brief overnight stay, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) confirmed on Monday.

The Boeing E-4B aircraft remained at NAIA for “refueling and crew rest,” according to the PAF.

Authorities emphasized that the aircraft’s visit was purely logistical.

“This aircraft has diplomatic clearance, but there is no VIP visit to the Philippines associated with it,” the PAF said.

The PAF added that it would continue to monitor and assist the aircraft during its “diplomatic layover” until its scheduled departure.

PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco said the aircraft took off at 11:38 a.m. on 27 October 2025.

The Boeing E-4B, often nicknamed the “doomsday plane,” is capable of serving as a mobile command center in the event of a national emergency or the destruction of U.S. ground-based command centers.

It functions as the National Airborne Operations Center and is a key component of the National Military Command System, providing command and control capabilities to the U.S. President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.