Donald Trump set to flee to one of three secret sites in nuclear war with Iran, doomsday plans reveal
In the face of a catastrophic event, like a war with Iran or other nuclear powers, the US government has a playbook to keep itself running called the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).
This strategy ensures that critical government functions, like national defense, economic stability, and public safety, keep going even if several major cities were destroyed by a weapon of mass destruction.
From fortified bunkers in Colorado, Pennsylvania, or Virginia, the Trump Administration or future White Houses can continue to govern the country despite the grave threat of nuclear apocalypse.
In recent days, the possibility that COOP was about to be implemented terrified many Americans as the president's emergency command aircraft was caught flying over parts of the US.
Flight trackers spotted the Boeing E-4B 'Nightwatch,' also known as the 'Doomsday plane,' soaring from Louisiana to Maryland on June 17.
Just four days later, the US military struck three nuclear sites in Iran, despite the warnings from China and Russia that such an attack could send the world spiraling into World War III.
The Doomsday plane serves as a flying command post for key officials during times of crisis, and is particularly designed to survive a nuclear attack and coordinate military actions.
While the Doomsday plane has been deployed in times of crisis, the Air Force said the June 17 flight was 'a pre-scheduled mission that was unrelated to current events in the Middle East'
COOP doesn't focus on everyday Americans. It's all about guaranteeing that leaders survive to guide the nation through chaos.
The secretive government plan was created as a framework for relocating key personnel, securing communication networks, and protecting vital records in the event that America's most protected sites came under attack.
In a World War III scenario with nuclear weapons, COOP would ensure the president, military leaders, and other officials operate from safe locations, preventing a leadership collapse that could lead to disorder throughout the states.
The plan includes clear lines of succession, so if the president, vice president, or other top officials are killed, others are ready to take charge.
This is vital for maintaining military command and coordinating emergency responses during a global conflict.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), COOP ensures 'the capability exists to continue essential agency functions across a wide range of potential emergencies.'
This plan doesn't just cover World War III, it is also meant to handle the fallout from crises like a major natural disaster, another pandemic, or a terrorist attack.
COOP's origins lie in the Cold War, when nuclear war with the Soviet Union was a daily fear for years.
President Dwight Eisenhower laid its foundation in the 1950s through executive orders, directing agencies to prepare for post-attack governance.
The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) notes that Eisenhower's actions spurred the creation of secure facilities and communication systems to withstand nuclear blasts.
Future presidents would expand those plans through directives like Presidential Decision Directive 67 in the 1990s, which formalized the COOP programs.
Today, it's guided by National Continuity Policy Directive (FCD-1), ensuring adaptability to modern threats like cyberattacks or nuclear escalation.
As for where the president and other leaders will escape to in the event that a full-scale ware breaks out, there are three specific locations that are fortified enough to withstand a nuclear attack.
The Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center in Virginia is managed by FEMA and reportedly contains a bunker designed for civilian leaders and communications equipment so the US government can maintain contact with the public.
Raven Rock Mountain Complex in Pennsylvania would serve as the Department of Defense's military command hub during a national emergency.
Lastly, Cheyenne Mountain Complex in Colorado is an underground facility and the former home of NORAD, the military command responsible for defending the airspace over the US and Canada.
While no longer NORAD's primary headquarters, it remains an alternate command center for NORAD and a backup COOP site because of its nuclear-resistant design and communication systems.
The Continuity of Operations Plan acts like a playbook for the US government in the event of a major world war where several major cities are destroyed (Stock Image)
Although COOP is well-documented in government and scholarly sources, specific details are classified for security purposes.
FEMA's official website outlines continuity programs, emphasizing their role in national preparedness.
Even the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) publicly details its own COOP measures, showing how agencies implement the plan.
A 2002 report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) confirmed COOP's activation after the 9/11 terror attacks, with 75 to 150 officials relocated to secure sites, proving its real-world use.
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