A US Air Force plane declared an emergency as it flew from Israel to a UK airbase today. The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker departed Ben Gurion Airport for RAF Mildenhall reportedly declared an emergency over a hydraulic problem, according to an aircraft-tracking account on X.

Flight-tracking data show that the crew transmitted a Squawk 7700 code, the international signal indicating a general emergency, while off the coast of the UK. The universal code alerts Air Traffic Control (ATC) immediately and is frequently used as a precaution to gain priority handling. The crew asked if they could divert to London Heathrow, citing the need for a longer runway.

The plane, a REACH 123, requires a long runway in case of an emergency landing, especially with mechanical issues or heavy fuel loads. However, the plane appears to have landed safely in Mildenhall.

The plane is one of the US Air Force’s large aerial refuelling aircraft used to extend the range and endurance of bombers and other military jets by topping them up with fuel in flight.

Two aircraft were involved in the incident, the US Central Command described the downed plane as “a loss.” The second aircraft landed safely.

Captain Ariana G. Savino, Major John ‘Alex’ Klinner, Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt, Captain Seth R. Koval, Captain Curtis J. Angst and Sergeant Tyler H. Simmons were named as the victims of the crash.

It added that the incident was not caused by hostile or friendly fire and that the circumstances are still being investigated.

Both planes are understood to have been KC-135 tanker aircraft, according to a US official who reportedly spoke on condition of anonymity. A KC-135 typically requires a three-person crew.

Operation Epic Fury is the codename for the US military action launched against Iran on February 28.