WASHINGTON, March 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. Central Command said on Thursday that it was carrying out rescue efforts after it lost a military aircraft in "friendly airspace" in Iraq during the ongoing
US carrying out rescue effort after military aircraft crash in Iraq
Details and Implications of the US Military Aircraft Crash in Iraq
By Idrees Ali
Overview of the Incident
WASHINGTON, March 12 (Reuters) - A U.S. military refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, in an incident U.S. Central Command said involved another aircraft but was not the result of hostile or friendly fire.
The United States has deployed a large number of aircraft into the Middle East to take part in operations against Iran and the incident highlights the risk of operations, even over friendly skies.
Rescue Efforts and Official Statements
In a statement, U.S. Central Command said it was carrying out rescue efforts after the U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down. The second aircraft landed safely.
"The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury," the statement said, using the military name of the U.S. operation against Iran.
Details of the Aircraft Involved
A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the other aircraft involved in the incident was also a KC-135 and the one that crashed had as many as six service members on board.
Claims of Responsibility
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions, claimed responsibility for downing the U.S. military refueling aircraft.
Statements from the Group
The group said in a statement it had shot down the KC-135 aircraft "in defense of our country's sovereignty and airspace".
Background on the KC-135 Aircraft
The KC-135, built by Boeing in the 1950s and early 1960s, has served as the backbone of the U.S. military's air refueling fleet and is critical to allow aircraft to carry out missions without having to land.
Context: Ongoing Conflict and Casualties
US and Israeli Operations Against Iran
Since the U.S. and Israel started carrying out strikes against Iran on February 28, seven U.S. troops have been killed. The United States has carried out strikes against more than 6,000 targets in Iran.
Recent Casualties and Related Incidents
Reuters reported on Tuesday that as many as 150 U.S. troops have been wounded in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. News of the crash comes the same day two U.S. sailors were injured after the USS Gerald Ford suffered a non-combat-related fire on board.
So far the war has killed more than 2,000 people, including almost 700 in Lebanon.
(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Jasper Ward in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese, Lincoln Feast and Christopher Cushing)
