After Trump’s Threat: America Lifts the US Nuke 'Sniffer' Plane

In a rare and highly symbolic move, a U.S. WC-135R “Constant Phoenix” aircraft - known as a nuclear detection or “sniffer” plane, took off tonight from Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska, the headquarters of U.S. Strategic Command.

The aircraft is currently flying unusual patterns across several northern U.S. states, triggering speculation among military analysts and open-source intelligence trackers.

This specialized plane, one of only three in existence, is designed to detect airborne radioactive particles and potential nuclear fallout in real time. Its deployment typically signals serious nuclear concerns.

The timing is highly significant: the flight follows unconfirmed reports of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and escalating rhetoric from Tehran threatening retaliation. While the Pentagon has not commented, the appearance of the Constant Phoenix suggests that U.S. military leadership is actively monitoring for any potential nuclear release, whether accidental or deliberate.

The last known time this aircraft flew in a similar pattern was in early 2022, shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when fears of nuclear escalation were running high.