The US Air Force officially maintains a combat fleet of 76 B-52 Stratofortress bombers, with 58 on active duty and 18 in reserve. The military is currently upgrading the entire aircraft inventory, ensuring this iconic strategic strike force will remain fully operational until the 2050s.


How many B-52 bombers does the US have?

A US Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, commonly used for the aerial refuelling of military aircraft, transmitted a “7700” distress code indicating an in-flight emergency while operating over the Persian Gulf near Iran, according to data from Flightradar24. The aircraft had departed from Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates before its signal was lost while flying over Qatar.&nbsp;Reports indicate the tanker had been active in the Middle East in support of ongoing US military operations.Flight tracking data showed the aircraft circling in the airspace for some time before beginning a descent, suggesting a possible attempt to land. The precise cause of the emergency remains unknown, and there has been no official confirmation linking the incident to any hostile activity.&nbsp;Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported on the incident, citing Flightradar24 data.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🔴 یک فروند هواپیمای سوخت‌رسان KC-135R نیروی هوایی ایالات متحده آمریکا که از پایگاه هوایی الظفره امارات برخاسته بود، در حین پرواز بر فراز خلیج فارس، کد اضطراری ۷۷۰۰ را مخابره کرد. 🔹ارسال این کد به معنای وجود یک وضعیت اضطراری و فوری است که نیاز به فرود دارد. <a href="https://t.co/o3HBB660hs">pic.twitter.com/o3HBB660hs</a>&mdash; خبرگزاری فارس (@FarsNews_Agency) <a href="https://twitter.com/FarsNews_Agency/status/2051553326626431033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Iranian authorities have not issued any statement suggesting their involvement in the situation.&nbsp;The US military has also not released any official update regarding the aircraft’s status.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>‘Aircraft squawked 7700 before vanishing from radar tracking systems’</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;The aircraft reportedly squawked “7700” (general emergency) before vanishing from radar tracking systems. The incident occurred over the Strait of Hormuz.The “7700” squawk is an internationally recognised signal used by pilots to indicate a serious in-flight emergency.Roughly an hour after the emergency code was detected on flight tracking platforms, the aircraft’s transponder signal was lost, as it was seen heading for Qatar, where US aircraft in the region frequently operate from forward bases.After the loss of transponder signals, H125 light utility helicopters were seen in the area.&nbsp;<h2>‘Transponder signal loss does not automatically confirm crash’</h2>&nbsp;The loss of a transponder signal does not automatically confirm a crash. Military aircraft can intentionally disable transponders for operational or security reasons, particularly in sensitive airspace.However, the combination of a 7700 emergency code followed by signal disappearance raises the possibility that the aircraft may have experienced some incident.There are no confirmed reports of debris, distress calls, rescue operations, or maritime alerts in the area.There has also been no official confirmation from US military authorities regarding the aircraft’s status.Until the US military issues a statement, the aircraft’s fate remains unconfirmed.&nbsp;In March, a KC-135 was reportedly lost during an attack in western Iraq. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq had then claimed responsibility, stating it had downed the aircraft “in defence of our country’s sovereignty and airspace.”&nbsp;<h2>Aircraft part of US Air Force’s operations for over 60 years</h2>&nbsp;The KC-135 Stratotanker is a military aircraft powered by four turbofan engines mounted under swept wings and used mainly for aerial refuelling. The aircraft has a cargo deck above the refuelling system, allowing it to carry both passengers and equipment, and is used to transfer fuel to other aircraft mid-air. It has been part of the US Air Force’s operations for more than 60 years.&nbsp;The aircraft allows fighter jets, bombers, and other military planes to stay in the air longer and travel greater distances.The KC-135 is based on Boeing’s 367-80 design, which also led to the development of the commercial Boeing 707 passenger aircraft. Hundreds of KC-135 aircraft remain in service with the US Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.

The tanker had been active in the Middle East in support of ongoing US military operations. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft circling in the airspace for some time before beginning a descent, suggesting a possible attempt to land. The precise cause of the emergency remains unknown.

A US Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, commonly used for the aerial refuelling of military aircraft, transmitted a “7700” distress code indicating an in-flight emergency while operating over the Persian Gulf near Iran, according to data from Flightradar24. The aircraft had departed from Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates before its signal was lost while flying over Qatar. Reports indicate the tanker had been active in the Middle East in support of ongoing US military operations. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft circling in the airspace for some time before beginning a descent, suggesting a possible attempt to land. The precise cause of the emergency remains unknown, and there has been no official confirmation linking the incident to any hostile activity. Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported on the incident, citing Flightradar24 data.

The tanker had been active in the Middle East in support of ongoing US military operations. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft circling in the airspace for some time before beginning a descent, suggesting a possible attempt to land. The precise cause of the emergency remains unknown.

US KC-135 Stratotanker transmits distress code, goes missing over Qatar

Five people onboard US military aircraft were killed after it crashed in the Southern California desert, local media reported. It was not immediately known what caused the crash.

The crash occurred around 12:25 pm on Wednesday, according to a statement by 1st Lt. Duane Kampa, a 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing spokesperson.

Naval Air Facility El Centro said in a Facebook post that the aircraft was from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, an aviation unit headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, in San Diego, about 115 miles (185 kilometres) west of the crash site in Imperial County. The post said the plane went down near the community of Glamis.

There were reports of the military aircraft carrying nuclear materials onboard, but a spokesperson for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which operated the aircraft, denied such claims.

Local firefighters, sheriff’s deputies and other emergency responders are assisting Naval Air Facility El Centro with the crash.

Imperial County Sheriff's Department spokesman Gilbert Rebollar said reports of the crash were received about midday Wednesday, reports AP news agency.

Versions of the aircraft, an MV-22B Osprey, are flown by the Marines, Navy and Air Force to transport troops and equipment. It has a higher top speed and longer range than a helicopter but is able to hover and land in a similar manner.

According to Los Angeles Times newspaper, this is not the first that the aircraft has been involved in such a fatal accident.

In March, four North Carolina-based Marines were killed in another Osprey crash during a NATO exercise in Norway.

The newspaper, citing crash records, claims that MV-22B Osprey has claimed 46 lives since the military began testing the unique aircraft. Since the Pentagon made it operational in 2007, there have been eight Osprey crashes.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Five people onboard US military aircraft were killed after it crashed in the Southern California desert, local media reported. It was not immediately known what caused the crash.

Five people onboard US military aircraft were killed after it crashed in the Southern California desert, local media reported. It was not immediately known what caused the crash. The crash occurred around 12:25 pm on Wednesday, according to a statement by 1st Lt. Duane Kampa, a 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing spokesperson. Naval Air Facility El Centro said in a Facebook post that the aircraft was from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, an aviation unit headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, in San Diego, about 115 miles (185 kilometres) west of the crash site in Imperial County. The post said the plane went down near the community of Glamis. There were reports of the military aircraft carrying nuclear materials onboard, but a spokesperson for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which operated the aircraft, denied such claims. Local firefighters, sheriff’s deputies and other emergency responders are assisting Naval Air Facility El Centro with the crash. Imperial County Sheriff's Department spokesman Gilbert Rebollar said reports of the crash were received about midday Wednesday, reports AP news agency. Versions of the aircraft, an MV-22B Osprey, are flown by the Marines, Navy and Air Force to transport troops and equipment. It has a higher top speed and longer range than a helicopter but is able to hover and land in a similar manner. According to Los Angeles Times newspaper, this is not the first that the aircraft has been involved in such a fatal accident. In March, four North Carolina-based Marines were killed in another Osprey crash during a NATO exercise in Norway. The newspaper, citing crash records, claims that MV-22B Osprey has claimed 46 lives since the military began testing the unique aircraft. Since the Pentagon made it operational in 2007, there have been eight Osprey crashes. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US military aircraft crashes in Southern California desert, 4 killed, 1 presumed dead

The Pentagon confirmed today the military plane which crashed on Monday in Afghanistan's Ghazni province was a US Bombardier E-11A aircraft.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-taliban-claims-responsibility-of-us-military-plane-crash-in-ghazni-276926">Also Read: US military plane brought down in Ghazni province, claims Taliban</a> 
 
The Taliban had claimed that it had brought down the plane. The area where the plane crashed is Taliban territory, however, Afghanistan US Forces spokesman Colonel Sonny Leggett dismissed reports of the plane being shot down by enemy fire. 
 
"While the cause of crash is under investigation, there are no indications the crash was caused by enemy fire," Colonel Sonny Leggett, US military spokesman said. 
 
Initial reports had claimed state-owned Ariana Afghan Airlines had crashed but the aviation authority denied its plane had crashed. 
 
"All the flights of Ariana Afghan Airlines have been completed normally," Ariana airlines said. 
 
The Bombardier aircraft has advanced communication capabilities in remote locations, however, the US military did not say how many were onboard.

The Pentagon confirmed today the military plane which crashed on Monday in Afghanistan's Ghazni province was a US Bombardier E-11A aircraft. Also Read: US military plane brought down in Ghazni province, claims Taliban The Taliban had claimed that it had brought down the plane.

The Pentagon confirmed today the military plane which crashed on Monday in Afghanistan's Ghazni province was a US Bombardier E-11A aircraft. Also Read: US military plane brought down in Ghazni province, claims Taliban The Taliban had claimed that it had brought down the plane. The area where the plane crashed is Taliban territory, however, Afghanistan US Forces spokesman Colonel Sonny Leggett dismissed reports of the plane being shot down by enemy fire. "While the cause of crash is under investigation, there are no indications the crash was caused by enemy fire," Colonel Sonny Leggett, US military spokesman said. Initial reports had claimed state-owned Ariana Afghan Airlines had crashed but the aviation authority denied its plane had crashed. "All the flights of Ariana Afghan Airlines have been completed normally," Ariana airlines said. The Bombardier aircraft has advanced communication capabilities in remote locations, however, the US military did not say how many were onboard.

No indication US plane crash caused by enemy fire: Pentagon denies Taliban's claim

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How many B-52 bombers does the US have?

US KC-135 Stratotanker transmits distress code, goes missing over Qatar

US military aircraft crashes in Southern California desert, 4 killed, 1 presumed dead

No indication US plane crash caused by enemy fire: Pentagon denies Taliban's claim