A U.S. Navy sailor prepares an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter for launch on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, while operating in support of the Operation Epic Fury attack on Iran from an undisclosed location, Feb. 28, 2026. (Credit: U.S. Navy/Handout via Reuters)
Four U.S. crew members were killed when an American KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, the U.S. military said Friday, adding that the incident was not caused by "hostile fire."
"Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue," U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for American forces in the Middle East, said in a statement on X.
An investigation was underway into Thursday's crash, it added. "However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire," it said.
Four U.S. crew members were killed when an American KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, the U.S. military said Friday, adding that the incident was not caused by "hostile fire."
"Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue," U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for American forces in the Middle East, said in a statement on X.
An investigation was underway into Thursday's crash, it added. "However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire," it said.
