A US KC-135 refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury, prompting rescue efforts. Officials said the incident was not caused by hostile fire, while another aircraft landed safely.
US forces have been scrambled to carry out a rescue operation after a military refuelling aircraft with at least five crew members on board, they confirmed, crashed in western Iraq during operations linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran. An Iran-backed Islamic group operating in Iraq has claimed responsibility for downing the plane, news agency Reuters reported.
Earlier, a US official familiar with the developing situation told the Associated Press that at least five crew members were aboard the aircraft when it went down, though it was not immediately clear whether there were any casualties.
The ill-fated aircraft was a KC-135 tanker, a key platform used by the US military to refuel fighter jets and other aircraft during long-range missions.
The official said the tanker typically operates with a crew of three, but at least five personnel were aboard the flight. It was not immediately clear what roles the additional crew members were performing.
In a statement, US Central Command said two aircraft were involved in the incident. One aircraft landed safely, while the other went down in western Iraq.
“The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing,” the command said, referring to the US military campaign targeting Iran.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the situation is still developing, confirmed that the second aircraft involved in the incident was also a KC-135 tanker.
“More information will be made available as the situation develops,” Central Command said in a statement. “We ask for continued patience to gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of service members”.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed armed factions, claimed responsibility for shooting down the US KC-135 refuelling aircraft, stating it was “in defence of our country’s sovereignty and airspace”.
The KC-135, manufactured by Boeing in the 1950s and early 1960s, has long been a central component of the US military’s air refuelling fleet. Its role is crucial, enabling US aircraft to extend missions without needing to land for fuel.
The tanker is the fourth aircraft publicly known to have crashed during the US military’s operations against Iran, according to the Associated Press. Last week, the US military confirmed that three American fighter jets were accidentally shot down by friendly Kuwaiti fire.
All six crew members aboard the F-15E Strike Eagles safely ejected and were in stable condition after being rescued, US officials said.
Seven American troops have been killed in combat since the war with Iran began. Six service members died when an Iranian drone struck an operations centre at a civilian port in Kuwait, while a seventh died after being wounded in an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, the report added.
About 140 US service members have also been wounded in the conflict, including eight who suffered severe injuries, the Pentagon said earlier this week.
With inputs from agencies
