US refueling plane crashes in Iraq

A US refueling plane has crashed in western Iraq, the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Thursday (March 12).

In the same statement, it also announced a rescue operation. There was no immediate information on whether any of the people on board were killed or alive.

The statement said that US Central Command is aware of the crash of a US KC-135 refueling plane. The incident occurred in friendly airspace during 'Operation Epic Fury' and rescue efforts are currently ongoing.

The statement indicated that two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft crashed and the second landed safely. CENTCOM claimed that the incident was not caused by enemy attack or accidental friendly fire.

However, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed responsibility for the downing of the plane. In a statement, they said that they had downed a US KC-135 aircraft in western Iraq "using appropriate weapons."

CNN wrote, citing a US Air Force document, that the KC-135 aircraft usually has a crew of three to four members. This team includes a pilot and a co-pilot, as well as a "boom operator," whose main job is to refuel other aircraft in mid-air.

In addition, the document mentions that a navigator is also added to this team for special missions.