USAF Boeing sends distress signal off the coast of Israel.
A military tanker aircraft of the United States Air Force (USAF), the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker, which took off from Tel Aviv, transmitted a distress signal. This is evidenced by data from the FlightRadar24 portal.
The aircraft ascended from Israel towards the sea and began to turn towards Iraq, where such planes usually go. However, the pilot sharply changed course, turning back towards the water, and began to descend.
Currently, the American tanker is circling over the sea at an altitude of about 2.5 kilometers. The reasons for the malfunction and the condition of the crew are unknown.
Earlier, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported the destruction of a second American fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet. According to the Central Command Headquarters of the 'Khatam al-Anbia' military, the aircraft was shot down over central Iran.
The IRGC's statement specifies that the fighter was hit by a new air defense system from the 'Laken-Hit' squadron. Due to a strong explosion on board at the moment of impact and crash, the likelihood of the pilot ejecting is assessed as low.
