Spanish
A KC-135 tanker aircraft of the United States Air Force crashed this Thursday in western Iraq while participating in the US military campaign against Iran.
The Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the accident occurred in allied airspace and that there is no indication that the aircraft was shot down by hostile fire.
"U.S. Central Command is aware of the loss of a KC-135 refueling aircraft. The incident occurred in allied airspace during Operation Epic Fury," the agency noted on social media.
According to the statement, two aircraft were involved in the incident: one of them managed to land without incident, while the other crashed. Operations to locate and rescue the crew members are still underway, although no details have been provided about the number of people on board.
The KC-135 Stratotanker is the primary aerial refueling aircraft of the U.S. Air Force and has been essential in Washington's global projection strategy for more than six decades.
With the ability to transfer fuel to bombers, fighters, and transport aircraft, the KC-135 can operate with a standard crew of three people, although in some missions it incorporates a navigator and can carry up to 37 passengers.
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The aircraft extends the reach of allied air forces, enabling prolonged operations without the need to land, and has participated in all major US conflicts since the Vietnam War. The accident occurred while U.S. and allied forces intensify air operations against targets in Iran. The campaign, dubbed "Epic Fury" by the Pentagon, is in its second week and has involved a continuous deployment of bombers, fighters, and support aircraft throughout the region. President Donald Trump declared that the offensive is "advancing rapidly," although he did not specify how much longer the attacks will last. The war, which began on February 28, has already caused the deaths of seven U.S. military personnel. In addition, the Pentagon reported this Thursday a fire aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford, in the Red Sea, which left two crew members injured. The crashed KC-135 is the first American tanker aircraft lost in this war, although it is not the first air incident for US forces since the beginning of the conflict. In the early days of the campaign, three F-15E fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by allied forces in Kuwait, although their crews managed to eject and survived the incident. CENTCOM specified at the time that these episodes occurred amidst intense fighting and attacks with ballistic missiles and Iranian drones.Meanwhile, the new Iranian supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, reiterated this Thursday Tehran's intention to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and continue attacks against US military bases in the region. Iran's decision to block this strategic route, through which about 20% of the world's oil passes, has caused a sharp rise in international crude oil prices and generated concern about the security of global energy supply.
The Pentagon has repeatedly emphasized that the priority is to guarantee freedom of navigation and the protection of U.S. and allied forces in the region. Following the KC-135 accident, the Air Force and Central Command have activated emergency procedures to stabilize the situation and avoid additional risks to ongoing operations. The conflict has also led to an increase in political tension in the United States. President Trump has received pressure due to the economic impact of the war, especially due to the rise in gasoline prices and the possibility that the prolongation of the conflict will influence the midterm elections scheduled for November.
