US refueling plane saves pilot in emergency over IS territory

Quick-thinking by the crew of a US Air Force refueling plane has saved the life of a pilot and his expensive F-16 fighter jet over Islamic State territory, according to a media report.

The F-16 had been trying to refuel in mid-air when the pilot discovered a malfunction with his fuel system, which meant he could only fly for 15 minutes - nowhere near enough to reach safety.

Instead of leaving the pilot to fend for himself, the KC-135 Stratotanker tanker crew decided to diverge from its area of responsibility, and safely escorted the F-16 to its base while refueling every 15 minutes on the way to allied airspace, CNN reported.

Without mid-air refuelling, the pilot faced the dangerous prospect of having to eject over Islamic State territory.