All six crew members killed after US refuelling plane crashes in Iraq
All six crew members killed after US refuelling plane crashes in Iraq
US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed that the six crew aboard a military refuelling aircraft have died following a crash in western Iraq. The incident occurred on Thursday, with the agency initially reporting the discovery of four bodies. No evidence of hostile or friendly fire was found, according to Centcom. The plane was part of ongoing US operations targeting Iran, and a second aircraft involved in the event managed to land safely.
The Boeing KC-135 tanker, a key component of the US air refuelling fleet, enables combat aircraft to conduct extended missions without frequent landings. It played a pivotal role in the first Gulf War, supporting fighter jets and bombers. Centcom noted the crash took place at approximately 14:00 ET (19:00 GMT) and is currently under investigation. A search and rescue mission was initiated to locate the remaining two crew members, though their identities were temporarily withheld to allow next of kin notification.
“The plane crashed while the crew was on a combat mission,” said Gen Dan Caine, chair of the US Joint Chiefs, during a press briefing on Friday.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the crew, calling them “American heroes” and emphasizing their “sacrifice will only recommit us to the resolve of this mission.” The aircraft typically carries at least a pilot, co-pilot, and boom operator, who manages the refuelling arm. Despite the crash occurring over friendly airspace, the area is known for pro-Iranian militia activity. Iran’s military claimed on state television that an allied group had fired a missile at the plane.
The incident raises the official US military death toll in the US-Israel war with Iran to 13, with at least four aircraft lost since the conflict began two weeks ago. Earlier this month, three F-15s were downed in Kuwait in what officials labeled an “apparent friendly fire incident.” All six crew members were able to eject safely from the plane.
Boeing developed the KC-135 Stratotanker for the US military in the 1950s and early 1960s. Its design has remained critical for sustaining long-range operations. Separately, Israel announced a new series of strikes on Iranian infrastructure in Tehran, followed by explosions in and near the capital. This followed the US easing sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil, a move intended to mitigate economic effects of the conflict.
Oil prices surged past $100 (£75) per barrel on Thursday, while stock markets dipped after three more cargo ships were targeted in the Gulf. Iran’s new supreme leader vowed to continue blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route. US President Donald Trump suggested the war might conclude “very soon” due to rising oil prices, though he hinted at potential escalation.
France’s military reported that a drone attack killed Staff Sgt Arnaud Frion and injured six others at a Kurdish military base in northern Iraq. The soldiers were stationed there to train Iraqi forces.