Washington: A US Air Force KC-135 refueling tanker crashed in western Iraq during operations tied to the war with Iran, the US military confirmed Friday. Rescue teams are scouring the area as officials assess potential casualties.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported the incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, involving two aircraft. One crashed in western Iraq; the other landed safely.
“This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” CENTCOM stated, ruling out combat involvement.
Search-and-rescue efforts continue while investigators probe the cause and crew status. “We ask for continued patience to gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of service members,” the command added.
The KC-135 Stratotanker, vital for mid-air refueling of bombers and fighters, typically carries a pilot, co-pilot, and boom operator. The Wall Street Journal cited sources suggesting a mid-air collision, though unconfirmed. Flight-tracking data earlier showed the tanker declaring an in-flight emergency.
(Inputs from IANS)