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Refueling Plane Crashes in Iraq
CENTCOM confirmed all six crew members aboard the KC-135 have been killed.
“The United States army has confirmed that all six crew members on board a military refuelling aircraft have been killed”
The crash occurred in friendly airspace and was not due to hostile or friendly fire, CENTCOM said.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for shooting it down.
The death toll among American service members rose to at least 13.
Crew Members Identified
The Pentagon identified the six crew members from five states.
Three were from the 6th Air Refueling Wing, and three from the 121st Air Refueling Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard.
The crash was the fourth American military aircraft loss since the war began.
Circumstances Under Investigation
Officials believe the incident may have involved a midair collision.
“U.S. officials believe the incident may have involved a midair collision”
The crash was not due to combat.
The KC-135 has been in service for over 60 years.
War Toll Grows Amid Disputed Claims
The crash occurred three days after Israel and the EU vetoed an IAEA investigation.
CENTCOM framed the crash as non-combat, while the Islamic Resistance claimed responsibility.
All six crew members were dead despite CENTCOM stating no hostile fire was involved.
This underscores the fog of war that makes the true cause unclear initially.