A US military aircraft experienced an emergency situation mid-flight and vanished from radar detection. The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, known as a ‘flying gas station’ for US military planes, activated the 7700 distress signal while flying over the Persian Gulf during heightened tensions with Iran.

Taking off from the Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, the American plane’s signals were lost above Qatar, according to data from Flightradar24. It has been aiding US military operations in the Middle East amid ongoing conflicts since late February.

Flight tracking data revealed the aircraft following a circular path before beginning its descent for landing. The specific cause of the emergency remains unclear, as the 7700 distress signal can indicate various potential issues.

When pilots input the emergency code 7700 into their transponder, it alerts air traffic control of the distress and the need for priority handling. The code serves as a universal signal for any emergency situation aside from hijacking (7500) or radio failure (7600).

Upon emitting the 7700 code, special procedures are activated at the destination airport, including standby emergency services. Roughly an hour after the emergency code was triggered, the aircraft’s transponder signal was lost while en route to Qatar, a common operating area for US aircraft in the region. Helicopters were spotted in the vicinity following the signal loss.

Iran’s Fars news agency referenced data from Flightradar24 in reporting on the aircraft’s disappearance. The KC-135 Stratotanker plays a crucial role in providing aerial refueling support to US Air Force missions, capable of carrying significant cargo based on fuel configurations.

In a separate incident in March, the US military experienced a similar aircraft loss in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury. Central Command clarified that the incident occurred in friendly airspace with ongoing rescue efforts, emphasizing it was not due to hostile or friendly fire.