Four American service members have died after a United States (US) Air Force KC-135 refuelling aircraft went down in western Iraq, military officials confirmed on Friday.
United States Central Command said the aircraft, which was operating as part of Washington’s ongoing campaign against Iran, crashed during a mission involving two tankers with the second KC-135 able to land safely.
Rescue operations are continuing in the desert region where the plane came down, with investigators examining the circumstances of the incident.
Officials stressed that the loss of the aircraft was not the result of hostile fire or friendly fire.
The deaths bring the number of US personnel killed in operations linked to the Iran conflict to at least 11.
Reports stated that the names of the crew members have not yet been released, pending notification of their families.
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Military sources who spoke with local newsmen indicated that a midair collision may have been a factor, though the inquiry remains at an early stage.
Air-to-air refuelling is a routine but complex manoeuvre, often complicated by poor weather or turbulence.
The KC-135 Stratotanker, one of the oldest aircraft in the US arsenal, is a workhorse of the Air Force, providing fuel to fighters, surveillance planes and cargo aircraft.
Checks revealed the last fatal crash involving the type occurred in 2013, when three airmen were killed after a tanker went down shortly after take-off from Manas airport in Kyrgyzstan.
Notably, the latest incident, according to reports, was the fourth manned aircraft lost since Operation Epic Fury began in late February.
Although none of the crashes have been attributed to Iranian fire, earlier this month three US F-15E Strike Eagles were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti F/A-18s in a friendly fire episode.