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U.S. KC-135 Refueling Aircraft Crashes in Iraq During Iran War Operations. A U.S. military refueling aircraft has crashed in western Iraq during operations linked to the conflict with Iran. U.S. Central Command said the KC-135 tanker went down Thursday in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury. The incident involved another aircraft, but officials say it was not caused by hostile or friendly fire. Rescue operations were launched immediately, while the second aircraft involved landed safely. A U.S. official said the other plane was also a KC-135 and that up to six service members were on board the aircraft that crashed. An Iran-aligned militia group in Iraq later claimed responsibility, saying it had shot down the aircraft to defend Iraqi sovereignty. The KC-135, a long-serving refueling tanker built by Boeing, is critical to U.S. air operations because it allows combat aircraft to stay in the air longer without landing. The crash comes as the U.S. and Israel continue large-scale strikes against Iran, with thousands of targets hit since the war began in late February.
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