Four US Crew Members Killed in KC-135 Refueling Aircraft Crash in Western Iraq

The United States Central Command announced that four crew members were killed after a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during a military operation.

CENTCOM stated that six crew members were on board the aircraft at the time of the incident, with rescue and recovery operations ongoing. U.S. officials have not publicly clarified the condition of the remaining two crew members.

The KC-135 was one of two refueling planes supporting the mission, which U.S. military officials linked to tensions with Iran. The second refueling aircraft was not damaged and landed safely.

An Iran-aligned militia umbrella group known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for downing the aircraft, saying it targeted the plane in defense of Iraqi airspace.

U.S. officials have not confirmed whether the aircraft was shot down or crashed due to another cause. Investigations into the incident are ongoing as rescue teams continue efforts at the crash site.

The crash occurs amid rising regional tensions involving U.S. forces and Iran-backed groups operating across Iraq and the wider Middle East, where military incidents have increased in recent months.