World
Four killed as US military refuelling plane crashes in Western Iraq
Four crew members have died after a United States military refuelling plane crashed in western Iraq.
The US Central Command said in a statement on Friday that the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker went down around 2pm Eastern Time on March 12 while carrying out operations in the region.
“Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue,” the statement added.
The military said investigations are ongoing to determine what caused the crash.
“However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” the statement said.
Officials added that the identities of the victims would remain undisclosed until 24 hours after their families had been formally notified.
According to US Air Force officials, investigators suspect the crash may have been caused by a midair collision, though the exact circumstances remain unclear.
The aircraft crashed in a largely remote desert area in western Iraq.
Air-to-air refuelling missions such as those conducted by the KC-135 are routine for US Air Force pilots and accidents are considered rare.
However, the manoeuvre can be technically demanding, particularly in difficult weather conditions or strong winds.
The incident marks the fourth loss of a manned aircraft since the launch of Operation Epic Fury, a US military operation that began in late February.
None of the crashes have been attributed to hostile Iranian fire.
Earlier in March, three F-15E strike eagle jets were downed in a friendly fire incident involving Kuwaiti F/A-18 hornet aircraft.
The last time a US tanker aircraft crashed was in 2013, when a KC-135 conducting refuelling missions over Afghanistan went down shortly after departing Manas airport in Kyrgyzstan.
Three airmen were killed in that accident.
Follow Us on Google Discover
Mbappé makes history, Saka nets hat-trick as England clinch World Cup bronze with thrilling 6-4 victory over France
Gombe 2027: PDP aspirant withdraws court case, backs Pantami
Arabic Education should be integrated into national curriculum – Gov. Bala Mohammed
Obi/Kwankwaso ticket cannot win 2027 elections, NDC lone senator, Hanga says as he plots defection to APC
UNICAL moves to curb exam fraud, sacks eight staff, penalizes one
TCN announces power blackout in Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, three other Northern states
Police nab eight suspected cultists over alleged assault on Bayelsa Varsity student
Tems makes history as first African female artist with US Diamond-certified single
Imo now one-party state, our people have decided to re-elect Tinubu in 2027, Says Uzodimma
Court sentences two men to death by hanging for raping, murdering 17-year-old girl in Anambra
Trump criticises Tuchel’s tactics after England’s World Cup exit to Argentina
NBA Presidential Poll: Badejo-Okusanya leads as voting continues after cyberattack delay
APC crisis deepens as Aiyedatiwa’s loyalists sue party, INEC over Ondo primaries
NUJ FCT Chairman Grace Ike wins Beacon of Education Award, pledges support for children with special needs
5.0-magnitude quake rocks Southeastern Turkey
8 Public assets named after Tinubu since becoming president (Full List)
JUST IN: Three face trial over Oyo schoolchildren, teachers’ abduction
APC crisis deepens as Aiyedatiwa’s loyalists sue party, INEC over Ondo primaries
TCN announces power blackout in Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, three other Northern states
Supreme Court directs final forfeiture of Emefiele’s properties
Court sentences two men to death by hanging for raping, murdering 17-year-old girl in Anambra
Yobe approves ₦460.8m support for Akara sellers, Women petty traders
Bauchi 2027: APC picks ex-Bala Mohammed campaign DG Faruk Mustapha as Deputy Gov candidate
Imo now one-party state, our people have decided to re-elect Tinubu in 2027, Says Uzodimma
BREAKING: Andy Burnham confirmed as UK Labour leader
Mbappé makes history, Saka nets hat-trick as England clinch World Cup bronze with thrilling 6-4 victory over France
Court dismisses suit seeking INEC recognition of Turaki-led PDP interim NWC
He has lost control, has to resign – ADC ask NASS to probe Tinubu’s fitness
BREAKING: Mary Habila’s father petitions IGP, demands release of daughter’s body for burial
