U.S. military refuelling aircraft has crashed in western Iraq during an ongoing operation in the Middle East, officials confirmed on Thursday, as search teams race to locate survivors and recover the wreckage.
The aircraft, a KC-135 tanker used to refuel fighter jets and other military planes mid-air, went down in what the military described as “friendly airspace” during Operation Epic Fury, according to the United States Central Command.
In a statement, the command said two aircraft were involved in the incident. One crashed in western Iraq, while the second aircraft landed safely.
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“US Central Command is aware of the loss of a US KC-135 refuelling aircraft,” the statement said. “The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Two aircraft were involved in the incident.”
“One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely. This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.”
Officials said the cause of the crash remains unclear, and it is not yet known whether there were casualties. Rescue teams were deployed immediately to search for crew members and secure the crash site.
The KC-135 Stratotanker has been a critical part of U.S. air operations for decades, allowing fighter jets and bombers to extend their range by refuelling in flight. The aircraft typically operates with a crew of three but can carry up to 37 passengers depending on the mission.
The crash marks the latest aircraft loss linked to Operation Epic Fury, a U.S. military campaign operating across parts of the Middle East. Military sources said three F-15 fighter jets were previously lost during the operation after being mistakenly shot down by friendly fire over Kuwait.
Although officials have ruled out hostile fire in the latest crash, investigators are expected to examine flight data and wreckage to determine whether mechanical failure, human error or other factors caused the incident.
The U.S. military maintains a significant presence in Iraq and across the region, conducting air operations and supporting coalition forces involved in counter-terrorism and regional security missions.
Further details about the crash and the status of the crew are expected once the rescue operation concludes and investigators complete an initial assessment of the incident.
