A fatal crash of a U.S. KC-135 refuelling aircraft in Iraq left four out of six crew members dead as rescue efforts continue for two missing personnel, following ongoing military operations against Iran.
The incident occurred on Thursday at 4:00 PM Eastern Time (9:00 GMT) while the plane was operating within U.S.-controlled airspace during Operation Epic Fury. The aircraft involved in this disaster had been part of a larger US-led effort to combat Iranian aggression and secure air space stability in the region.
Two other crew members were onboard but remain missing after one of the planes crashed, while another successfully landed safely without sustaining damage or casualties. The U.S. Central Command confirmed that this was not a case of hostile fire or friendly misunderstanding; both aircraft were flying in friendly airspace during their operations.
The Boeing-manufactured KC-135 is designed to refuel other military jets mid-flight, and it usually carries three crew members: a pilot, copilot, and boom operator who controls the extended fueling arm. The specifics of how this crash unfolded are under investigation as rescue teams work tirelessly in search of survivors.
Earlier reports suggested that the Islamic Resistance group had claimed responsibility for shooting down the aircraft to safeguard Iraqi airspace and sovereignty. However, U.S. Central Command has since clarified that no hostile fire was involved; the crash occurred naturally within friendly operations.
It’s worth noting that this marks the fourth military aircraft loss attributed to the ongoing conflict in Iraq. Prior incidents include an F-15C fighter jet shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses during a US-led operation against Iran earlier this year.