US refuelling plane crashes in Iraq after mid-air collision

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AUS military plane has crashed following a suspected mid-air collision in Iraq, with a rescue mission underway to locate those on board.

Two KC-135 aircraft were involved in ‘the incident’ which occurred ‘in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury’, US Central Command said.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq had claimed ​responsibility for downing the US military refuelling plane ‘in defence of our country’s sovereignty and airspace’.

But Centcom said the ‘loss’ of the aircraft was not due to either hostile or friendly fire.

A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a avy F/A-18F Super Hornet over the Middle East during Operation Epic Fury (Picture: US Central Command)

A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling tanker aircraft takes off from the Kadena Air Base (Picture: AP)

The KC-135 which crashed had at least five crew members on board. The other landed safely.

‘More information will be made available as the situation develops,’ Central Command said.

‘We ask for continued patience to gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of service members.’

Smoke from a building in the center of Beirut, Lebanon, following an Israeli bombardment (Picture: Getty)

A view of damaged residential buildings in central Tehran, Iran (Picture: EPA)

An Israeli emergency responder works at the site of an impact by an Iranian missile in northern Israel (Picture: Reuters)

The tanker is the fourth publicly acknowledged aircraft to crash as part of the US military’s operations against Iran.

Last week, three American fighter jets were mistakenly downed by friendly Kuwaiti fire.

All six crew members safely ejected from the F-15E Strike Eagles and were said to be in a stable condition after being recovered.

Seven American troops have been killed in combat during the Iran war so far, while about 140 service members have been injured, including eight severely, the Pentagon said earlier this week.

Both President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have warned that the Iran war would likely claim more American lives before it ends.

US President Donald Trump salutes during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base, in Dover, Delaware (Picture: AFP via Getty)

Six of the fallen service members were killed when an Iranian drone struck an operations centre at a civilian port in Kuwait. They were in the Army Reserve and worked in logistics, keeping troops supplied with food and equipment.

They died one day after the US and Israel launched the military campaign against Iran on February 28.

The Islamic Republic has retaliated with missiles and drones against Israel and several Gulf Arab states that host US armed forces.

The seventh American service member died after being wounded during a March 1 attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia.

Trump joined grieving families for a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base when the remains of the first six soldiers were returned to the United States.

Vice President JD Vance, Hegseth and others saluted the seventh flag-draped transfer case as it arrived this week at Dover.

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