A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, with rescue operations underway, according to the US Central Command (Centcom). Centcom confirmed that neither hostile nor friendly fire was involved in the crash, which occurred over territory controlled by US forces, though pro-Iranian militias also operate in the region.
The incident highlights the risks of US military operations against Iran, as the KC-135 was part of ongoing operations supporting combat missions in the conflict. Another aircraft involved in the mission landed safely. The Stratotanker, manufactured by Boeing in the 1950s and 1960s, typically carries three to six crew members, including a pilot, co-pilot, and boom operator responsible for midair refuelling. The status of the crew on board the downed plane remains unclear.
KC-135 Stratotanker: Backbone of US Air Refuelling Fleet
The KC-135 has long been essential to the US Air Force, enabling fighter jets and bombers to extend their missions without landing. It played a pivotal role during the Gulf War and remains a critical asset for US operations across the Middle East as reported by BBC News.
While Centcom stated the crash occurred over friendly airspace, Iranian state media claimed an allied group had targeted the aircraft with a missile. Democratic Congressman Jim Himes described the situation as a likely accident, noting that even the best military forces face operational hazards.
The crash follows a string of recent aircraft losses in the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran. Earlier this month, three F-15s were downed over Kuwait in an apparent friendly-fire incident, though all six crew members ejected safely. Since the outbreak of hostilities, seven US soldiers have been confirmed killed, and the US has lost at least four aircraft.
US rescue teams are actively working to recover the aircraft and personnel, while the military investigates the cause of the crash. Officials emphasized that operational accidents, though rare, are an inherent risk during active military engagements.
