KC-135 tanker involved in Epic Fury goes down in Iraq: CENTCOM
WASHINGTON — A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker air refueler crashed in Iraq due to an “incident” that “occurred in friendly airspace,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement late Thursday.
Casualties and circumstances surrounding the crash are not immediately clear. According to CENTCOM, the incident was “not due to hostile or friendly fire” and occurred during Operation Epic Fury, the US military’s name for the war against Iran.
Three US F-15s were recently shot down over Kuwait in a friendly fire incident, but all pilots involved ejected safely. The Stratotanker, however, does not have ejection seats. CENTCOM said “rescue efforts are ongoing.”
Two aircraft were apparently involved in events that precipitated the tanker’s crash, though it’s not clear if it occurred amid a refueling mission. The other aircraft “landed safely” according to CENTCOM, which did not describe the aircraft in question.
The incident would appear to be the first crash of a KC-135 since 2013, where three crew members died in a mishap shortly after takeoff.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in Iraq during Operation Epic Fury late Thursday. The incident was confirmed by CENTCOM, which stated it was not caused by hostile or friendly fire. Rescue efforts are currently underway, and while two aircraft were involved, one landed safely. This marks the first KC-135 crash since 2013.
- A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in Iraq during Operation Epic Fury.
- The crash was not due to hostile or friendly fire.
- Rescue efforts are ongoing for the crew members.
- Two aircraft were involved in events leading to the crash, but one landed safely.
- This is the first KC-135 crash since 2013.