Late Monday night, a rare U.S. military plane known as the WC-135R ‘Constant Phoenix’ took off from Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. This base is also the headquarters of U.S. Strategic Command, which oversees the country’s nuclear arsenal.
Nicknamed the “nuclear sniffer,” this aircraft has a special job. It detects radioactive particles in the air and helps identify signs of nuclear explosions or fallout. The Air Force only uses this plane in serious situations. It’s one of just three such aircraft in the entire world.
Suspicious Flight Patterns Observed
According to Air Force Times, the WC-135R flew in strange patterns over northern parts of the United States. This behavior sparked concern because it happened shortly after reports—still unconfirmed—claimed that Israeli airstrikes may have targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.
Although the Pentagon has not commented officially, the timing and route of the plane raised eyebrows. It appeared that the U.S. might be preparing for the possibility of a nuclear-related incident.
Iran Issues Threats, Adds to the Alarm
Adding to the tension, Tehran issued strong warnings and suggested it may retaliate. The combination of Israel’s alleged actions and Iran’s sharp response has kept global attention focused on the region.
Expert Suggests It Was Just a Training Mission
Despite the rising concerns, some experts tried to ease public fears. Brandon Holley, a Wireless Infrastructure Engineer, posted on X (formerly Twitter) to clarify the flight’s purpose.
He wrote, “That was a training flight and its flight pattern aligns with flying over USSTRATCOM bases and some of our silo fields.”
That was a training flight and its flight pattern aligns with flying over USSTRATCOM bases and some of our silo fields.
— Brandon Holley (@fearlessness) June 17, 2025
In other words, the aircraft might not have been deployed in response to international developments. Instead, it may have followed a routine training route over key U.S. nuclear defense sites.
The flight of the WC-135R has drawn attention because of its rare use and timing. While some believe it signals concern over a possible nuclear incident involving Iran, others insist it was just standard training. Until the Pentagon comments, the reasons behind this flight remain uncertain.
