An E-4B Nightwatch aircraft landed at Los Angeles International Airport on 8/1. Airline Videos, a popular YouTube channel specializing in 24/7 aircraft livestreaming, detected its arrival, and images of the plane were subsequently widely shared on social media.

Many people wondered if its appearance was a precursor to a major impending event. "That is actually an airborne, nuclear-hardened command unit," user @ConcernedCitizen wrote on X. "Perhaps this is not a good sign."

"Things are quite tense on New Year's Day," another person wrote.

Some speculated that the aircraft's presence was linked to Russia's recent attacks on Ukraine.

The US Department of Defense later stated that Pete Hegseth was on board the aircraft. He was on a tour to promote the nation's defense industrial base and boost recruitment.

Also present on the plane was right-wing activist Laura Loomer. Loomer reported that Hegseth visited the Los Angeles Military Entrance Processing Station, calling the recruits there "the best of the best and the true 1%" for dedicating their lives to "God and country."

The E-4B Nightwatch is a heavily modified Boeing 747 operated by the US Air Force. It serves as an airborne command center, designed to ensure the continuity of the federal government during severe national emergencies, including nuclear war.

Each appearance of an E-4B Nightwatch draws attention. The aircraft previously flew to Joint Base Andrews in Washington last June, when then-President Donald Trump was considering military options against Iran. It was also seen in Fort Worth, Texas, last September.

The "doomsday plane" can sustain flight for up to 12 hours without refueling and has aerial refueling capabilities to extend its mission duration. It is designed to maintain global communication and operate even if ground command centers are incapacitated, effectively serving as a "mobile Pentagon" in the sky.

By Vu Hoang, with reports from Yahoo News, NY Post, and Reuters.