Prosper Okoye
All six crew members aboard a U.S. military refueling plane have died after the aircraft crashed in western Iraq, the U.S. military confirmed Friday.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the KC-135 Stratotanker went down Thursday at approximately 2 p.m. ET, with initial reports confirming four deaths and rescue efforts underway. A later update confirmed that all six personnel were deceased.
“The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” CENTCOM said. The statement added that two aircraft were involved in the operation, with one landing safely.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe identities of the deceased are being withheld until 24 hours after their families have been notified, following standard military protocol.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth called the crew “American heroes” during a Pentagon briefing. “War is hell. War is chaos. And as we saw yesterday with the tragic crash of our KC-135 tanker, bad things can happen,” he said. “We will greet those heroes at Dover, and their sacrifice will only recommit us to the resolve of this mission.”
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, said the incident highlights the risks faced by U.S. service members. “It’s a reminder of the true cost of the dedication and commitment of the joint force,” he said.
Since U.S. forces joined operations in Iran on February 28, a total of 12 active personnel have been killed, with a 13th death resulting from a medical issue. Last week, three U.S. fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwait, although no casualties occurred.
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The KC-135 Stratotanker, a key refuelling aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, has been in service for over six decades. Each plane costs nearly $40 million and can also be used for medical evacuations. Standard crews number three, but expand to five for medical missions.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
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