US KC-135 Tanker Crashes in Western Iraq; 6 Crew Missing

A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker air refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq while supporting Operation Epic Fury combat sorties. CENTCOM confirmed the crash occurred in 'friendly airspace' and stated it was 'not due to hostile or friendly fire.' Six service members were onboard; the KC-135 has no ejection seats, raising grave concerns about crew survival. A second KC-135 involved in the same incident landed safely in Israel. Rescue operations were launched immediately. However, the 'Islamic Resistance in Iraq' — a coalition of Iran-backed militias — claimed responsibility, saying it shot down a US KC-135 with 'the appropriate weapon.' The crash marks the first KC-135 loss since 2013 (Kyrgyzstan) and is the fourth US aircraft lost in the conflict. An Italian military base in Erbil was also struck by a separate drone attack; Italy temporarily withdrew its personnel.