A Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker operated by the U.S. military crashed on Thursday in western Iraq. The incident occurred in friendly airspace while the aircraft was participating in Operation Epic Fury, according to Central Command (CENTCOM).
Two aircraft were involved in the incident, with one crashing and the other landing safely. CENTCOM confirmed that the crash was not due to enemy or friendly fire and stated that rescue operations are currently underway.
Details surrounding the incident are still being investigated, and further information will be released as it becomes available. This crash marks another event impacting U.S. forces since the onset of military operations against Iran.
Previously, on March 1, during the second day of the conflict, three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighters were lost due to friendly fire, mistakenly shot down by Kuwait’s air defense system, as explained by CENTCOM.
Since the beginning of joint U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran, seven American service members have died, with around 150 others reported injured.
A U.S. military KC-135 tanker crashed in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury, with ongoing rescue efforts underway. This incident adds to the series of challenges faced by U.S. forces in the region amidst escalating military actions against Iran.