Four members of the crew aboard a United States military refuelling aircraft have been confirmed dead after the plane crashed in western Iraq, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
CENTCOM stated that search and rescue operations are still ongoing following the crash of the KC-135 aircraft. Earlier reports from the command indicated that the incident was not caused by either friendly or enemy fire.
The tanker aircraft was reportedly part of ongoing US military operations linked to the conflict involving Iran. Two aircraft were involved in the operation at the time, but while one crashed, the second aircraft managed to land safely.
The KC-135, manufactured by Boeing, is designed to refuel other aircraft while in flight and has long been an important asset in US military missions. The aircraft type has been widely used in past operations, including the Gulf War, to extend the range of fighter jets and bombers.
According to officials, the crash occurred at around 14:00 Eastern Time on Thursday, and investigations are currently underway to determine the exact cause of the incident.
Authorities also said the identities of the deceased crew members will remain undisclosed for at least 24 hours until their families are formally informed.
Typically, a KC-135 aircraft operates with a crew that includes a pilot, co-pilot, and a boom operator responsible for managing the refuelling equipment.
Although the crash reportedly happened in friendly airspace, the area of Iraq where the incident occurred has a presence of pro-Iranian militia groups. Iranian state media has claimed that an allied militia targeted the aircraft with a missile.
Since the escalation of the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, at least seven US soldiers have reportedly died. The latest crash also marks the loss of at least four US aircraft during the ongoing conflict.
