Washington, March 13: A U.S. Air Force air refueling aircraft has crashed in western Iraq during operations linked to Iranian-related military activities. The U.S. military has confirmed the incident. Rescue teams are currently conducting search operations in the area, as officials work to determine if there are any casualties.
U.S. Central Command reported that a KC-135 refueling tanker was lost during an incident involving two aircraft as part of “Operation Epic Fury.” This occurred while both planes were engaged in missions within allied airspace.
In a statement, Central Command acknowledged the loss of the U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft.
The command detailed that the incident involved two aircraft participating in the operation. One aircraft crashed in western Iraq, while the other landed safely.
The statement read, “This incident occurred during Operation Epic Fury in allied airspace, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Two aircraft were involved; one crashed in western Iraq, and the other landed safely.”
Military officials clarified that the crash was not the result of an attack or gunfire. According to Central Command, the cause of the incident was neither enemy fire nor friendly fire.
Officials reported that the search and rescue operation is ongoing. They are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and the status of the crew on board.
Central Command stated that gathering complete information and providing clear updates to the families of the service members will take some time, urging the public to be patient.
The KC-135 Stratotanker is a vital aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, used for in-flight refueling of bombers and fighter jets during long-range missions.
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, officials connected to the incident indicated that initial information suggests a possible mid-air collision between the two aircraft. However, the military has not yet officially confirmed the cause of the crash.
Typically, the KC-135 aircraft has a minimum crew of three members, including a pilot, a co-pilot, and a boom operator, who manages the refueling system for other aircraft in flight.
Media reports indicate that prior to the crash, flight tracking data revealed that the KC-135 declared an emergency during its flight, shortly before the aircraft went down.
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