Four of six crew members confirmed dead after US KC-135 goes down over western Iraq

Four of the six crew members on board a US KC-135 refuelling aircraft have been confirmed dead after the aircraft went down in western Iraq, US Central Command said on Friday, as rescue efforts are continuing.

In an earlier statement, the command said it was aware of the loss of a US KC-135 refuelling aircraft in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury. 

It said two aircraft were involved in the incident, with one going down in western Iraq and the second landing safely.

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US CENTCOM said the loss was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire. In its later update, it said the circumstances of the incident were under investigation.

The aircraft went down at about 14:00 Eastern Time, which is 21:00 in Iraq, on Thursday, 12 March. 

The identities of the dead were being withheld until 24 hours after the next of kin had been notified.

An Iran-backed Iraqi armed group claimed it had shot the aircraft down, according to Reuters.

What is the KC-135?

The KC-135 Stratotanker is a four-engine aerial refuelling aircraft used to extend the range and endurance of US and allied aircraft in flight. 

It has formed the core of the US Air Force air-to-air refuelling capability for more than 60 years and can also be used for aeromedical evacuation.

First delivered to the US Air Force in June 1957, the aircraft was developed to replace slower propeller-driven tankers from the post-war period. 

It has remained the service's principal refuelling aircraft for decades.