SEOUL (Web Desk) — A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker supporting operations connected to the conflict with Iran has crashed in western Iraq, leaving four of the six crew members dead.
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The U.S. Central Command said the aircraft went down after an unspecified incident involving two aircraft operating in what it described as “friendly airspace.” The other plane involved landed safely, officials said.
The KC-135 Stratotanker is a long-serving aerial refueling aircraft used to supply fuel to fighter jets and bombers while they are airborne, enabling them to conduct longer missions without landing. The aircraft can also be used for medical evacuation missions and surveillance operations.
Developed from the Boeing 707 design, the KC-135 has been in service for more than six decades and continues to support the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied forces. However, concerns have grown about the reliability of the aging fleet. The aircraft is gradually being replaced by the newer KC-46A Pegasus tanker.
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According to the Congressional Research Service, the U.S. Air Force operated 376 KC-135 aircraft last year, including those assigned to active duty, the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve.
A standard KC-135 crew consists of a pilot, co-pilot and a boom operator responsible for controlling the refueling system located at the rear of the aircraft. During refueling operations, the boom operator extends a fuel boom to connect with other aircraft.
The U.S. military confirmed that rescue operations are still underway for the crash site, while the exact cause of the accident remains under investigation. Officials said the crash was not the result of hostile action or friendly fire.
The incident marks the fourth publicly acknowledged U.S. aircraft crash linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Recently, three U.S. F-15E fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti forces during Iranian attacks.
KC-135 aircraft have been involved in several accidents in the past. One of the most recent occurred in 2013 when a tanker crashed in Kyrgyzstan after experiencing rudder problems shortly after takeoff, killing all three crew members onboard.
One of the most serious historical incidents involving the aircraft occurred in 1966 when a U.S. B-52 bomber collided with a KC-135 near Palomares, Spain, causing the tanker to crash and triggering a major cleanup effort after nuclear materials were dispersed.
US military, KC-135 Stratotanker, Iraq crash, Iran conflict, US Air Force, military aviation, CENTCOM, aircraft accident
