A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling plane crashed in Iraq, U.S. Central Command said. The aircraft went down while conducting operations in the country; details about the location and timing were not immediately released.
U.S. and partner forces responded to the incident, and local authorities were notified. Officials said search-and-rescue and recovery teams were deployed, and an investigation into the cause of the crash has been opened. At the time of the initial statement, there was no confirmed information on the number of people on board or whether there were any casualties.
The KC-135 is used to refuel U.S. and allied aircraft in flight, supporting a wide range of military operations. Military investigators typically examine factors including mechanical issues, maintenance history, human factors, weather conditions and any possible hostile action. U.S. Central Command said it would provide updates as more information becomes available.
Iraqi authorities or local security sources may also conduct parallel inquiries if the crash site is within Iraqi jurisdiction. Officials cautioned that early reports can be incomplete and asked the public to await formal updates from military and government sources. More details are expected as search, recovery and investigative efforts proceed.