A Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq while another aircraft involved in the same incident landed safely, the United States Central Command confirmed on Thursday.
In a statement, the military command said one of the planes went down during operations in the region but clarified that the crash was not caused by combat action.
“One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely. This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” the command said.
However, Iran’s military presented a different account. According to a statement broadcast on state television, an allied armed group operating in Iraq allegedly shot down the aircraft using a missile, killing all members of the crew.
The claim was echoed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of armed factions aligned with Iran. The group said it targeted a KC-135 aircraft and also attempted to strike another plane that managed to escape.
Since the outbreak of the ongoing Middle East conflict, the alliance has reported daily attacks on American interests across Iraq and other parts of the region, although it rarely provides detailed information about the targets involved.
The KC-135 crash marks at least the fourth American military aircraft loss during the war. Earlier in the conflict, three McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft were shot down by mistake over Kuwait in a friendly fire incident.
The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker has been in service for more than six decades and is primarily used to refuel other aircraft during flight operations. The aircraft typically carries a crew of three consisting of a pilot, a co-pilot, and a boom operator responsible for controlling the refueling equipment, according to the United States Air Force.
Some missions also require a navigator, and the aircraft is capable of transporting as many as 37 passengers depending on operational needs.
Earlier in the conflict, which began on February 28, Kuwaiti forces mistakenly shot down three American McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft during intense fighting that involved attacks by Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones, according to United States Central Command.
Despite the losses, all six crew members from the downed fighter jets were able to eject safely from their aircraft.
What you should know
The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is one of the most important support aircraft used by the United States Air Force.
Designed for mid-air refueling, the plane allows fighter jets and bombers to stay airborne for extended missions without landing.
First introduced in the late 1950s, the KC-135 remains a key component of American military operations around the world, especially during long-range combat and surveillance missions.
