The US military has confirmed that one of its KC-135 refuelling aircraft has crashed in western Iraq during an ongoing operation in the region.
In a post on X, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the aircraft went down while taking part in Operation Epic Fury, a campaign linked to the current military tensions involving Iran.
CENTCOM said two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of them crashed in western Iraq, while the second aircraft landed safely.
Rescue efforts underway
According to US officials, six crew members were believed to be on board the aircraft at the time of the crash. Their condition has not yet been confirmed.
Search and rescue teams have been sent to the crash site to locate the crew and assess the situation. The military said the aircraft went down in what it described as “friendly airspace”.
In a post on social media, CENTCOM said it was aware of the loss of the KC-135 refuelling aircraft and that rescue operations were continuing.
The KC-135 is a tanker aircraft used to refuel other military planes in mid-air.
It plays a key role in allowing fighter jets and other aircraft to remain in the air for longer missions.
Western Iraq is considered an important route for military aircraft operating across the region.
Cause of crash under investigation
US officials said the crash was not the result of hostile fire or friendly fire. However, the exact cause of the incident remains unclear.
The Pentagon has said investigators will examine the wreckage and flight data before reaching a final conclusion.
Losing a refuelling aircraft can affect the pace of air operations, as these planes support long-range missions carried out by fighter jets.
Military officials say more details will be released once the investigation progresses.
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