An ageing American military aerial-refuelling aircraft crashed in friendly airspace in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury.
According to CENTCOM, another aircraft was also involved in the incident.
This is the fourth publicly acknowledged US aircraft to crash during Operation Epic Fury against Iran. Earlier, three F‑15E Strike Eagle fighters were lost in a friendly-fire incident over Kuwait, when Kuwaiti air defenses mistakenly engaged the US jets.
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According to media reports, the aircraft that crashed had as many as six service members on board.
The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing. "Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely," a statement from CENTCOM said, adding, "This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire."
“More information will be made available as the situation develops. We ask for continued patience as we gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of the service members,” the statement further said.
The aircraft involved is a KC-135 Stratotanker, which is an aging platform with most airframes dating back to the 1950s and 1960s, meaning that the aircraft is at least 60 years old.
A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the other aircraft involved in the incident was also a KC-135, reports news agency Reuters.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions, claimed responsibility for downing the aircraft. The group said in a statement that it had shot down the KC-135 aircraft "in defense of our country's sovereignty and airspace".
Ever since the war on Iran began, seven American troops have lost their lives in combat.
