WESTERN IRAQ — A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft went down over western Iraq on Thursday, the US military confirmed, stressing that the crash was “not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.”
Details on casualties have not been disclosed. At least five crew members were aboard the tanker, a US official said, while a second KC-135 involved in the operation landed safely.
“The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing,” said a US Central Command statement, referring to the Pentagon’s ongoing operations targeting Iran.
“Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely. This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.”
A typical KC-135 flight crew consists of a pilot, copilot, and boom operator, the latter responsible for refueling other aircraft mid-air. Some missions also require navigators, according to the US Air Force.
The military said additional information will be released “as the situation develops,” asking for patience as authorities work to clarify details for the families of service members.
This incident comes just a week after three F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were accidentally shot down over Kuwait in a friendly fire incident, though all six crew members ejected safely.