Incident Overview#
A U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft tragically crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, leading to the deaths of four out of the six crew members on board. The crash occurred around 2 PM ET on March 12, as reported by U.S. Central Command.
Ongoing Rescue Efforts#
Rescue operations are currently underway for the two remaining crew members who survived the crash. Their condition has not been disclosed, and efforts are being made to locate and assist them.
Investigation Underway#
U.S. Central Command has stated that the circumstances surrounding the crash are under investigation. Importantly, they confirmed that the incident was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire, indicating that the aircraft was not shot down during the event.
Identification of Crew Members#
The identities of the four deceased service members will be kept confidential until at least 24 hours after their next of kin have been informed. This is a standard procedure in military protocol to ensure that families receive the news directly.