[MilCom] Fwd: [MilRadiocomms] Two E-4Bs Damaged.

[AllanStern at aol.com]

Air Force Says Tornado Damaged Two “Doomsday” 747s
Tara Copp, Stars and  Stripes
24 June 2017

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.

AL STERN  Satellite Beach  FL
AllanStern at aol.com
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