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US Air Force Tanker Crashes in Iraq During Iran War Operations

A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during operations linked to the war with Iran. US Central Command confirmed the incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, stating it was not caused by hostile or friendly fire. Search and rescue operations are ongoing to determine the status of the crew, which typically consists of at least three personnel. Initial reports cited by officials suggest a possible in-air collision, though the military has not formally confirmed the cause.

Key Points: US KC-135 Tanker Crashes in Western Iraq, No Hostile Fire

  • KC-135 tanker lost in western Iraq
  • Incident during Operation Epic Fury
  • Not caused by combat action
  • Search and rescue ongoing
  • Initial reports suggest possible in-air collision
2 min read

US tanker crashes in Iraq during Iran war

A US Air Force KC-135 refueling aircraft crashes during Operation Epic Fury in western Iraq. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing for the crew.

"This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire. - CENTCOM"

Washington, March 13

A US Air Force aerial refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during operations linked to the war with Iran, the US military said, as rescue teams searched the area and officials worked to determine whether there were casualties.

US Central Command confirmed that a KC-135 refuelling tanker was lost during an incident involving two aircraft operating in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury.

"US Central Command is aware of the loss of a US KC-135 refueling aircraft," CENTCOM said in a statement.

The command said the incident occurred while two aircraft were involved in the operation. One aircraft crashed in western Iraq while the other aircraft landed safely.

"The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely," the statement said.

Military officials said the crash was not caused by combat action. "This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire," CENTCOM said.

Search and rescue operations continued as officials worked to determine the circumstances of the incident and the status of the crew.

"We ask for continued patience to gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of service members," the statement said.

The KC-135 Stratotanker is a critical aircraft for the US Air Force, refueling bombers and fighter jets on long-range missions.

According to The Wall Street Journal, officials familiar with the episode said initial reports suggested an in-air collision, though the military has not formally confirmed the cause.

The KC-135 normally carries a minimum crew of three - a pilot, co-pilot, and boom operator responsible for managing the refuelling system that transfers fuel to other aircraft.

Reports of the emergency surfaced earlier, when flight-tracking data showed that a KC-135 had declared an in-flight emergency before the crash, according to media reports.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priyanka N
Another accident in the Middle East. When will this end? The region has seen enough instability. Our own Indian diaspora there is often caught in the crossfire of these geopolitical tensions. We need diplomacy, not more military hardware in the skies.
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Aman W
Operation Epic Fury? Sounds like a movie title. Jokes aside, the KC-135 is a workhorse. A mid-air collision during refueling is a pilot's nightmare. The technical investigation will be crucial. Hope the crew is safe.
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Sarah B
Reading this from Delhi. It's concerning how these incidents can escalate tensions further between US and Iran. India has important relationships with both countries and stability in the Gulf is vital for our energy security. A peaceful resolution is needed.
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Vikram M
Respectfully, while we sympathize with the personnel, the article lacks context on the broader 'war with Iran'. The intro frames it as a given fact, but the situation is more complex. The media should be more careful with such phrasing to avoid spreading misinformation.
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Karthik V
Tragic. These are highly trained professionals. The boom operator's job is incredibly precise. A small error at 30,000 feet can be catastrophic. Let's wait for the official report instead of speculating. #SafetyFirst

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