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The US military has confirmed that all six crew members aboard a KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft were killed when the plane went down in western Iraq on Friday.
U.S. Central Command issued a statement clarifying that the crash was not the result of “hostile fire” or “friendly fire,” though the specific circumstances of the tragedy remain under investigation.
The aircraft was supporting ongoing regional operations when the incident occurred.
This fatal crash marks a significant loss for U.S. forces, bringing the total number of confirmed American deaths in the current operation against Iran to 13.
While the military typically employs these tankers for mid-air refuelling and transport, the loss of the entire crew underscores the inherent risks of such missions, even in non-combat scenarios.
The names of the deceased are being withheld as officials work to notify the families of the fallen service members.
Investigators are expected to analyse flight data and the wreckage to determine whether mechanical failure or environmental factors contributed to the crash.
This incident represents the latest in a series of aircraft-related casualties during the current military campaign.
