US Military Plane Declares Emergency Near Qatar-Iran State Media
By Gabe WhisnantNewsweek
US Military Aircraft Activity At RAF Base In England. MILDENHALL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, takes off from RAF Mildenhall on January 07, 2026 in Mildenhall, England. There have been recent reports of increased United States Air Force aircraft arriving at American bases in England this week, including RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk. The reports coincide with today’s US seizure of the Marinera (previously called the Bella-1), a Russian-flagged tanker in the North Atlantic, and against the backdrop of statements from US officials, including the president, vowing to acquire Greenland, a self-governed territory of Denmark, a NATO member. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Dan Kitwood
Getty Images
Iranian media reported that a U.S. military refueling aircraft declared an in‑flight emergency while flying near Qatar.
Flight-tracking data cited by Iran's semi‑official Fars news agency showed a U.S. Air Force KC‑135 Stratotanker transmitting a "7700" general distress signal before disappearing from tracking screens over Qatar. The aircraft, often described as a "flying gas station," had reportedly taken off from Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.
A Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, takes off from RAF Mildenhall on January 07, 2026 in Mildenhall, England. (Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
This story was originally published May 5, 2026 at 9:42 AM.
