New details have emerged regarding the U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crash over western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury. According to CBS News, the second aircraft involved in the incident was another KC-135 aerial refueling tanker.
The tanker that crashed reportedly had six U.S. service members on board, while the second KC-135 was able to return safely and land at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel.
Flight tracking data showed that the aircraft declared an emergency during the incident, transmitting a “squawk 7700” signal, the international aviation code used to indicate a general emergency.
Earlier statements from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that two aircraft were involved in the incident, with one going down in western Iraq while the other landed safely. Officials also stated that the crash was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire, and that search and rescue operations are ongoing.
The KC-135 Stratotanker plays a critical role in aerial refueling operations, allowing fighter jets and bombers to remain airborne longer during combat missions. The aircraft has been heavily used during the ongoing campaign targeting Iranian military infrastructure.
