TEHRAN (Kashmir English): US Central Command (CENTCOM) has said that America has lost a KC-135 refueling aircraft in Iraq during the ongoing Operation Epic Fury.
The incident occurred in friendly airspace over western Iraq, it added.
In a brief statement issued Thursday, CENTCOM confirmed the loss of a KC-135 Stratotanker during the continuing military offensive.
According to CENTCOM, two aircraft were involved, with one going down while the second landed safely. “No hostile or friendly fire was involved in the incident.”
CENTCOM further said that rescue and recovery operations are currently ongoing. It didn’t provide further details on the crew or the cause of the accident.
CENTCOM said the aircraft loss occurred entirely in non-combat conditions and that investigations are underway.
The KC-135 Stratotanker has excelled in providing the core aerial refueling capability for the US Air Force for more than 60 years.
US Air Force
This asset enhances the US Air Force’s capability to accomplish its primary mission of global reach. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft.
In other such losses, three F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were mistakenly shot down in a friendly-fire incident involving F/A-18 Hornet aircraft near Kuwait on March 1.
In addition, several MQ-9 Reaper drones have been lost during the conflict.
According to Pentagon, at least seven US service members have been killed since the offensive began, while approximately 140 personnel have sustained fatal injuries.
