Military Aircraft Crash in Iraq Under Investigation
A U.S. military KC-135 refueling plane crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, with rescue efforts currently underway, according to U.S. Central Command.
The aircraft was involved in operations against Iran but officials confirmed the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire. A second KC-135 successfully landed at a nearby location.
Central Command stated that the downed aircraft represents a “loss.” The agency has requested patience from families of service members as they gather more information about the incident.
At this time, it remains unclear if there were any casualties. This crash marks the fourth publicly acknowledged incident of U.S. military aircraft being lost during ongoing operations against Iran. Last week, three fighter jets were mistakenly downed by friendly fire in Kuwait.
According to the Pentagon, seven American service members have died in combat related to the operations, with about 140 wounded, including eight in serious condition. Further details regarding the crash are expected to be released as the situation develops.