US refueling aircraft crashes in Iraq after incident in ‘friendly airspace’ — rescue efforts under way

A US refueling aircraft “went down” in Iraq on Thursday during a crash in “friendly airspace,” according to authorities, who said rescue efforts remain ongoing.

Two aircrafts were involved in the crash, with a US KC-135 Stratotanker going down over western Iraq, the US Central Command said.

“The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing,” CENTCOM wrote in a statement.

A KC-135 Stratotanker went down in western Iraq on Thursday after an incident in “friendly airspace.” AP

“This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.”

The second US aircraft landed safely, according to the military.

It is not immediately clear whether any US service members were killed or injured.

The KC-135 Stratotanker has been the US Air Force’s core refueling aircraft for more than 60 years — providing additional aerial support to the Navy, Marine Corps and allied nations’ aircraft, according to the US Air Force.

More information on the incident will be available as recovery efforts unfold, CENTCOM said.