The United States launched a rescue effort after a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday during ongoing military operations in the region.

In a statement, United States Central Command said the aircraft went down in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. military campaign targeting Iran. Officials said the crash involved another aircraft but was not the result of hostile or friendly fire.

A second aircraft involved in the incident landed safely.

Rescue Mission Underway

U.S. Central Command confirmed that rescue efforts were underway following the crash. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the other aircraft involved was also a KC-135 tanker. The aircraft that crashed was carrying as many as six service members, according to the official.

Militias Claim Responsibility

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias, claimed responsibility for the crash, saying it had shot down the aircraft “in defense of our country’s sovereignty and airspace.”

However, U.S. Central Command said the crash was not caused by hostile fire, contradicting the militia’s claim.

Key Aircraft in U.S. Operations

The KC-135 tanker, built by Boeing in the 1950s and early 1960s, has long been the backbone of the U.S. military’s air-refueling fleet. The aircraft allows combat jets and bombers to remain airborne longer by refueling them mid-flight, making it critical to long-range missions.

Growing Costs of the War

The crash comes as the U.S. and Israel continue their campaign against Iran, which began on February 28. According to reports, U.S. forces have carried out strikes on more than 6,000 targets inside Iran.

Seven U.S. troops have been killed since the conflict began, while as many as 150 U.S. service members have been wounded, Reuters reported earlier this week.

News of the crash also came on the same day that two U.S. sailors were injured after a non-combat fire broke out aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN‑78).