US military plane crashes in Iraq: CENTCOM confirms KC-135 Stratotanker loss during operation
A US military aircraft crashed in Iraq during Operation Epic Fury. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the loss of a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft while supporting military operations.
CENTCOM stated that the crash was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire. "This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire," CENTCOM posted on X.
Two aircraft were involved in the incident: one crashed in western Iraq, while the second was able to land safely. There are no reports of casualties, and rescue efforts are currently underway.
According to the report, six military personnel were on board the crashed aircraft, which went down near the town of Turaibil, close to the Iraq-Jordan border. Meanwhile, the second KC-135 aircraft reportedly successfully executed an emergency landing at Ben Gurion Airport.
Iranian sources, including military spokespeople affiliated with the IRGC, and pro-Iranian accounts on X claimed that "resistance factions" or allied forces shot down the US KC-135 using missiles, alleging that the crew was killed. These claims remain unverified.
This incident marks the fourth crash of a U.S. military aircraft during President Donald Trump's operations related to tensions with Iran. Previously, three F-15E Strike Eagle jets were lost in a friendly fire accident involving forces in Kuwait, though all six crew members ejected safely.
What is a Stratotanker?
The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, often described as a “flying gas station,” enables U.S. and Israeli fighter jets to stay airborne over Iran for extended periods by refueling mid-air, eliminating the need to return to base.
West Asia conflict
The conflict in West Asia erupted after Israel and the United States reportedly carried out a joint strike on Iran on February 28, which allegedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with several senior Iranian officials.
In retaliation, Iran launched missile and air strikes targeting U.S. military bases in Iraq, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. The Iranian military also struck bases and air defense systems in neighboring countries, accused of supporting the U.S. operation. Tehran later stated that it would halt attacks on these countries if they guaranteed that their territories would not be used for further operations against Iran.
Now in its 14th day, the Iran-US-Israel war has caused widespread destruction across the region. According to Iranian state media and the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, the conflict has resulted in over 2,000 casualties, with Iran suffering the most, including more than 1,300 civilian deaths.
Iran has further reported that 9,734 non-military buildings, including 16,291 residential units, have been damaged. In addition, 77 medical centers and 16 Red Crescent facilities were reportedly hit during the attacks, highlighting the severe humanitarian impact of the ongoing war.
www.merabharatsamachar.com
