US Military Refuelling Aircraft Crashes in Iraq, Four Crew Members Confirmed Dead

At least four crew members have been confirmed dead after a United States military refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, according to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).

CENTCOM said the aircraft, a KC-135 Stratotanker, went down around 14:00 ET (19:00 GMT) on Thursday while operating in the region. Rescue operations are still ongoing for the remaining crew members.

Military officials earlier stated that neither hostile nor friendly fire was responsible for the incident. The aircraft was reportedly part of ongoing U.S. operations linked to tensions with Iran.

According to CENTCOM, two aircraft were involved in the mission at the time of the incident, but the second aircraft landed safely.

The KC-135, manufactured by Boeing, is designed to refuel military aircraft mid-air, allowing fighter jets and bombers to extend their range during operations. The tanker aircraft has been a critical component of U.S. air operations since its introduction in the 1950s and was widely used during the Gulf War.

Officials said the identities of the deceased personnel would not be released until their families are formally notified.

The aircraft typically carries a crew that includes a pilot, co-pilot and a boom operator responsible for controlling the refuelling arm used to transfer fuel to other aircraft during flight.

Although CENTCOM described the crash as occurring in friendly airspace, the area of western Iraq is known to host several pro-Iranian militia groups. Iranian state media claimed that an allied group targeted the aircraft with a missile, though this has not been confirmed by U.S. authorities.

The latest incident comes amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran in the region, during which several American service members and aircraft have been lost. Earlier this month, three U.S. fighter jets were reportedly shot down in an apparent friendly-fire incident over Kuwait, although all six crew members ejected safely.

An investigation into the cause of Thursday’s crash is currently underway.