US Refuelling Aircraft Lost in Iraq During Operation Epic Fury
By Tahir Shah :
The United States Central Command has confirmed the loss of a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker during the ongoing military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury.
In a brief statement issued on Thursday, the command said the aircraft went down in friendly airspace over Iraq, specifically in the western part of the country.
According to United States Central Command, two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of them crashed while the second aircraft landed safely. Officials said there was no indication that the incident involved hostile activity or friendly fire.
Search, rescue and recovery operations are currently under way, though authorities have not yet released details about the crew or the cause of the crash. An investigation has been launched to determine what led to the incident.
Key role in aerial refuelling
The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker forms the backbone of the aerial refuelling fleet of the United States Air Force and has been in service for more than six decades.
The aircraft enables long-range missions by refuelling other aircraft mid-air, supporting operations carried out by the Air Force as well as the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and allied forces.
Powered by four turbofan engines mounted under its swept wings, the aircraft can take off with a maximum gross weight of about 322,500 pounds. In addition to its refuelling role, the tanker can also carry passengers and cargo on its upper deck, with a capacity of up to 83,000 pounds depending on its configuration.
Previous incidents during the campaign
The crash follows a series of operational incidents during the ongoing campaign.
On 1 March, three Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle jets were mistakenly shot down in a friendly-fire incident involving McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet aircraft near Kuwait.
Several MQ-9 Reaper drones have also reportedly been lost during the conflict.
According to officials at the United States Department of Defense, at least seven US service members have been killed since the campaign began, while around 140 personnel have been injured. Several of the wounded are said to be in serious condition.
The incident highlights the operational risks faced by military forces even in non-combat conditions during large-scale military operations.
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