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US Refueling Plane Crashes in Iraq, Killing 4 Crew; Iran Claims Shootdown

The United States Central Command confirmed a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, resulting in four fatalities among the six crew members on board. CENTCOM stated the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire and that rescue operations are ongoing. In contrast, Iranian state media cited military spokespeople claiming the plane was shot down by "resistance groups" in the region. The incident occurred during Operation Epic Fury, a US-led mission targeting Iranian-linked security threats.

Key Points: US KC-135 Crashes in Iraq, 4 Dead; Iran Claims Missile Strike

  • Four crew members confirmed dead
  • Crash occurred during Operation Epic Fury
  • Iran state media claims missile shootdown
  • Second involved aircraft landed safely
  • Incident under investigation
2 min read

Four crew members killed after US refuelling aircraft crashes in Western Iraq, confirms CENTCOM

A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashes in western Iraq, killing four crew members. CENTCOM denies hostile fire as Iran's media claims a missile shootdown.

"The loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire. - US CENTCOM statement"

Florida, March 13

The United States Central Command on Friday confirmed the deaths of four crew members after a US refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday.

In a statement, the US CENTCOM said that a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker went down at approximately 2 pm Eastern Time on March 12, with six crew members on board the aircraft at the time of the incident.

It further stated that rescue operations are currently underway.

CENTCOM further clarified that the loss of the aircraft was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire.

"At approximately 2 pm ET on March 12, a U.S. KC-135 refuelling aircraft went down in western Iraq. Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire," the statement read.

The Command said the names of the deceased service members will be withheld until at least 24 hours after their families have been notified.

Earlier on Thursday, the US CENTCOM confirmed the loss of a US Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft over Iraq while supporting military operations, according to an official press release.

According to a release, CENTCOM stated that the incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, the US-led operation against the Iranian regime to dismantle the security apparatus and prioritise locations that pose an imminent threat.

"Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, while the second aircraft was able to land safely," the release said.

"This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire," the release added.

However, Iran's state media, citing the spokesman for the Central Headquarters of Iran's Military, claimed that the US military refuelling plane was shot down by a missile fired by resistance groups in Western Iraq.

The spokesperson further told Press TV that all six of the service members on board had been killed.

The Public Relations Department of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) also said in a statement that the air defence systems of the Resistance Front succeeded in targeting a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker tanker while it was refuelling an aggressor fighter jet, Press TV reported.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So sad to hear about the loss of life. 🙏 Four families are grieving today. The article mentions "Operation Epic Fury" against Iran. As an Indian, I hope our government continues its delicate diplomatic balancing act in the region. Stability in the Middle East is crucial for our energy security and diaspora.
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Rohit P
The immediate denial of hostile fire by CENTCOM, followed by Iran's claim of it being shot down... smells like the usual fog of war and propaganda. Truth is often the first casualty. Mechanical failure in a decades-old aircraft like the KC-135 is also a real possibility. Let's wait for the investigation.
S
Sarah B
Heartbreaking. Regardless of the politics, these were individuals with families. The 24-hour wait before releasing names to notify next of kin is a respectful protocol. The focus should be on supporting the bereaved and the two surviving crew members.
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Vikram M
This is why permanent foreign military presence in other countries' regions is so volatile. The article says it was in "friendly airspace," but whose friend? The situation in Iraq has been a tinderbox for years. India has wisely focused on diplomacy and trade in the Gulf, not military adventures.
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Karthik V
A respectful criticism: The article could do a better job contextualizing "Operation Epic Fury" for a global audience. It's mentioned briefly, but what are its stated goals beyond "dismantling security apparatus"? More background would help readers understand the broader conflict this crash is part of.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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