US Flying Gas Station Goes Missing Over Qatar, Called 'Emergency' Moments Ago A Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, serving as a mobile refueling station for US military aircraft, transmitted a distress signal over the Persian Gulf near Iran, according to flight tracking data. The aircraft, which departed from Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, lost contact with tracking systems over Qatar. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, though no official confirmation has linked the event to hostile actions. Flight data revealed the plane initially circled in the air before initiating a descent toward landing. The exact cause of the emergency remains unclear, with no statements from US military authorities confirming the situation. Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported the incident, citing Flightradar24 data, but Iran has not publicly claimed responsibility. The US military has not issued any updates on the plane’s status. This incident follows a similar event in March 2026, when a US KC-135 was shot down by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed group. The group claimed the attack was in defense of Iraq’s sovereignty, as reported by Reuters. The KC-135, a critical asset for US air operations, has been used for over six decades to support aerial refueling, cargo transport, and medical evacuation missions. The KC-135 Stratotanker, based on Boeing’s 367-80 design, is a four-engine aircraft with a cargo deck above its refueling system. It enables fighter jets, bombers, and other military planes to extend their range and remain airborne longer. The aircraft also supports operations for the US Navy, Marine Corps, and allied forces. Over 300 KC-135s are still in service with the US Air Force, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve.#iran #fars_news_agency #boeing_kc_135_stratotanker #al_dhafra_air_base #islamic_resistance_in_iraq
