The KC-135 is the fourth American aircraft lost since the beginning of the war against Iran. Three F-15 fighter jets were shot down by accidental friendly fire from Kuwait.
The US military announced the “loss” of a KC-135 tanker aircraft “in allied airspace during Operation Epic Fury. In its statement, the US military specified that “rescue operations are underway.”
“Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the planes crashed in western Iraq, while the second landed safely,” explained the US military in its statement. The US Central Command for the Middle East (Centcom) stated that the loss of this KC-135 was “not due to hostile or friendly fire.”
“The rescue operations are ongoing,” added Centcom in a statement, stating that another aircraft involved was able to land safely.
No details about the number of people on board the aircraft were provided, nor their current condition.
“The fourth lost aircraft”
“Further information will be provided as the situation develops,” assured Centcom, urging “patience” in order to “gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of the military personnel involved.”
The Iranian military, on the other hand, claimed in a statement broadcast by state television that the aircraft was hit by a missile fired by pro-Iranian armed groups in western Iraq and that the crew did not survive the crash.
The KC-135 is the fourth American aircraft lost since the beginning of the war against Iran. Three F-15 fighter jets were shot down by accidental friendly fire from Kuwait.
With a length of 41.5 meters and a wingspan of nearly 40 meters, the Boeing KC-135 “Stratotanker” has four engines and a loading capacity of over 38 tons depending on its configuration.
